How do you remove water rings from wood furniture?

Question

I just acquired an old dark wood piano from my grandmother. Unfortunately, she often set her water glass on the piano. Now there are many whitish circles on it. Is there a way to get rid of them without refinishing thi piano?

Answer 1

Those are what happens when moisture penetrates the wax on a wooden surface and breaks its bond with the wood. There are a few options, and most involve toothpaste!!

Here you go ...

Remove Water Marks

Steps:
1. Apply a small amount of non-gel toothpaste to a damp, clean, lint-free cloth.

2. Rub toothpaste over the water spot.

3. Remove film with a clean, damp cloth.

4. Dry with a clean, dry cloth.

5. Polish.

Check these websites. Good luck with it.

Answer 2

Unfortunately these types of marks are generally permanent due to the fact that the water condensation from the glass has affected the finish on the wood. Completely fixing will require refinishing. Sometimes you can refinish just the parts where the damage is done. However, when that is done you generally can't match the surrounding finish. You might be able to remove the 'top board' of the piano if that is where the water rings are and refinish just that top board and be ok.

One option that my wife has used on some of the same type of problem we had is 'wax pencils' from the local hardware store (Lowe's, Home Depot). These wax pencils come in lot of various colors so you can match the color to the wood that needs to be repaired. They even have a 'kit' that have 4 or 5 different colors so you can do multi colored / grained surfaces. Once you do this it actually turns out quite good. Keep the pencils around however as depending upon use, this wax will eventually wear off.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 3

Well, as you know... water rings which appear as filmy gray spots are especially common on furniture. To remove, use one of the following methods.

Method 1:
Rub with paste wax and 4/0 (very fine) steel wool.

Method 2:
Rub spot lightly with a soft lintless cloth moistened
with camphorated oil. Wipe immediately using a clean
cloth.

Method 3:
Dip a small piece of cheesecloth in hot water to
which two to three drops of household ammonia have been
added. Wring cloth out tightly and rub spot lightly.

Answer 4

I have had those too with some older furniture pieces.
I have used toothpaste and steel wool (oooo) grade very fine.
This will not scratch the wood, but help to rub the stain out.
Then you will want to finish it to protect it.
Here is a wonderful site that will help with the process.
Belive me it is work to get them out!!! But it is well worth it!!
Good Luck!! Best wishes too!!

Answer 5

There are some wood cleaners that are "said" to remove water stains. But I don't I haven't tried any of them. I usually just snad them out and refinish those areas.

Answer 6

The experts at eHow suggest the following solution: Apply a small amount of non-gel toothpaste to a damp, clean, lint-free cloth. Rub toothpaste over the water spot. Remove film with a clean, damp cloth. Dry with a clean, dry cloth. Polish.

Answer 7

You can use a fine grain sand paper to lightly remove the rings, but you will have to go over the finish with a clear seal again. If you do the whole piano with the seal it won't show. =o)

Otherwise you're stuck.
Good luck!

Answer 8

you can't... the water stain sets in the wood. you'll have to refinish