We bought a second-hand dining table which has a mahogany finish. It has some scratches and some white marks on it but I do not know how to make it look better. Can you help?
2006-12-20 21:43:45 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
I don't know what to do about the scratches...I don't know if there is a Q & A in Home Depot's web page, but you can try there.
As for the white marks...do you know what they are? Are they surface marks or are they inbedded in the wood? Try one of those Mr. Clean Magic Erase Sponges (don't have to be mr. clean, generics that are just as good are sold at the $1.00 store here now)
If that doesn't work, I might suggest sanding it down and refinishing it with a stain and sealant. look on home depot's site and see if you can find anything there.
2006-12-20 21:51:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is a good quality table of pre-1930 manufacture it is likely to be French Polished. This is a complicated and skilled finishing technique. The polish is made from shellac dissolved in alcohol and is applied in a number of thin layers by a "rubber", basically a piece of cotton fabric wrapped around some cotton wool. The polish dries very rapidly and to stop the "rubber" sticking to the finish some linseed oil is put on the rubber to act as a lubricant. The skill comes in knowing how much to put on and when to stop rubbing, as you can easily re-dissolve earlier layers and tear the surface...I have made a pigs ear of it several times. The white rings are almost certainly water/heat damage from wet tea cups. The only real way to solve your problem is to re-apply the finish, a good furniture restoration book will give you all the details you need if you fancy having a go yourself...good luck, this link may help:-
http://www.getwoodworking.com/techniques/frenchpolishing/
or
http://www.ehow.com/how_14587_apply-traditional-french.html
2006-12-20 23:36:13 · answer #2 · answered by markgwr 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The white marks are probably made by over heating the surface beeswax. If you have the patience this needs to be scrapped off very carefully, then reapplied. This will also help fill in any small scratches. It sounds as if you have quite a good table which given the right care and attention will give you years of good use.
Any furniture restoration book will give you directions.
2006-12-20 22:02:55 · answer #3 · answered by hotod 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get the finest wire wool that you can and some Beeswax. Put a small amount of BW on wirewool and rub over mark in SMALL circular motions; gradually mark shoud disappear. (not too much pressure.)
2006-12-21 02:47:01 · answer #4 · answered by D B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The white mark is moisture that has been pulled up into the finish (wax or hardcoat) by the heat. The only way to remove it is by removing the top finish and then refinishing it.
2016-03-29 02:23:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Toothpaste - mildly abrasive - will remove the white marks. You can try crayon of a similar color for the scratches...just color them in. good lluck.
2006-12-20 22:17:40 · answer #6 · answered by reynwater 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use Howard's Restor-A-Finish just wipe it on then wipe it off.Works great.Can be purchased at Lowe's or any hardware store.
2006-12-21 15:54:13 · answer #7 · answered by koi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
topps make a good stain and scratch remover
2006-12-20 22:46:52 · answer #8 · answered by welshelf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mr. Jack Hackett has it right
2006-12-21 09:08:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
CONTACT THE PEOPLE FROM.................... ORANGE GLO...............THEY MAKE A PRODUCT FOR JUST SUCH THINGS.
USED ORANGE GLO.. RUINED FURNITURE...
THEY FOUND SOLUTION. FURNITURE WAS TOO LARGE TO BE MOVED
2006-12-20 22:12:27 · answer #10 · answered by LucySD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋