Ep 3. Back to Four Square

In season 7 episode 3 of American Restoration titled "Back to Four Square," viewers are in for a treat as they get to watch Rick and his team take on an exciting restoration project. The episode centers around a unique four-sided gambling table that needs some serious TLC.

The project is brought in by a customer named Marty, who explains to Rick that the table originally belonged to his grandfather, who used to run an illegal gambling operation in the area. He tells the team that the table was last used in the 1930s and has been in his family for generations.

The table itself is a sight to behold, with its intricate carvings and ornate details. However, it is clear that it has seen better days; the table is covered in dirt and grime, and some of the wood is cracked and chipped.

Rick sees the potential in the table and is eager to get started on restoring it. His first challenge is to figure out how to disassemble the table so that they can clean and refinish each section properly. This requires a lot of careful maneuvering and some creative solutions, but eventually, they are able to get the table taken apart and ready for restoration.

One of the most exciting parts of this episode is getting to see the team's attention to detail and their incredible restoration skills in action. They take the time to carefully clean and sand each individual section of the table, and then use a combination of stain and varnish to bring out the natural beauty of the wood.

But the restoration process is not without its challenges. At one point, the team discovers that the table has been infested with termites, which poses a major problem. Rick and his team devise a plan to treat and repair the termite damage, but it adds an extra layer of difficulty to the project.

Throughout the episode, viewers get to see not only the restoration process itself, but also some interesting background information about the history of illegal gambling and bootlegging in America. Marty shares stories about his grandfather's underground operation, and Rick talks about the various ways that people found to skirt Prohibition-era laws.

The episode concludes with the big reveal of the restored gambling table, and it is truly stunning. Marty is thrilled to see it restored to its former glory, and Rick and his team are proud of the incredible job they've done.

Overall, "Back to Four Square" is a fascinating episode of American Restoration that showcases the team's incredible restoration skills and provides some interesting historical context. Viewers will be riveted by the process of restoring this unique piece of furniture and will come away with a new appreciation for the art of restoration.