Solid oak table. Built up deepened colour through 20yrs of waxing. Small patch back down to oak, any idea's?

Question

I think a plug in air freshener was left on the table and it has leaked, i wiped the area with a warm damp cloth, i have been left with a small area back down to the wood. Other than stripping it and refinishing it, do you have any other idea's? Waxed over 20years with bee's wax. Stands out like a sore thumb! I would be grateful for any suggestions, my mother-in-law comes back on sunday!

Answer 1

Furniture stores like Lack's use a colored crayon when they have pieces like yours that are damaged. Since your MIL is coming on Sunday, you don't have time to strip the table and restain it.

Try a brown crayon, hold it close to the area that is affected. Hold a flame to the crayon and let it drip onto the affected area. Once you have the area filled in, let the melted crayon wax cool. Then buff the area out. Then wax your table. It should work for you. If you don't like how it turns out, just place wax paper over the area, place a towel over the wax paper and then apply heat with a hot iron. The crayon wax will melt and will be picked up by the wax paper, the towel will protect your table from the heat. But I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

You can always put a pretty lace tablecloth on the table, that will also aid to hide the spot.

Answer 2

Hi there , try these ideas.. try neat camp coffee (liquid coffee) or gravy browning mixed with a Little water rubbed onto the area involved ! both will colour the wood, but may need several applications before the marks disappear all together.

if that fails you can buy a wax crayon product by (ronseal colour on) which is specially designed for touching up surface marks left by cups and other house hold items.

Answer 3

sand the area down with a 280 grit to remove any dirt etc...
purchase an oil based stain to match the table
using a small rag apply stain just in that area going with the grain
if you get any on the finished area simply wipe it off
the stain won't bite in the wood where it is finished
let dry and reapply if needed for color
try to tape (low tack) off the area surrounding the mark to protect from overspray careful not to get tape on new stain
spray wood sealer in quick short strokes not too heavy
let dry and sand lightly
wipe away dust and spray lacquer as the top coat
reapply as needed
note that the lacquer also has to match for example
high gloss... medium gloss etc...
after its dry remove tape.

Answer 4

Remove all wax with turpentine. That will lighten the entire cabinet. See if that helps.

Answer 5

A coaster place over the spot. Top needs to be redone.

Answer 6

Rub a walnut onto it, it has natural oils in and should seal your table.