I was able to successfully remove several white spots in the finish (I assume uncatalyzed nitrocellulose) on a table. However, there is also one spot where it appears that a hot bowl placed on the table has caused a different issue. The lacquer appears to be unaffected (no whitish, cloudy spot), but the stained wood appears to be very noticeably lighter in the area where the hot bowl was placed. Is there any method I can try that might correct this issue without removing the lacquer?
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What species is the table made of?
Hi, mj. The table is of a veneered construction. The veneers appear to be mahogany or lauan. As the photo image shows, the original stain color is relatively dark.
I'm not sure how something hot enough to affect a stain would leave a finish untouched. Are you certain it was damaged by a hot bowl? Are you certain the veneer was stained?
The photo has the feel of a table that aged with an object on it for a long time, preventing oxidation and UV exposure under it.
I would start by placing the light spot in direct sunlight with a coin sitting in the light area. If you can see the "shadow" of the coin after a few days remove the coin and leave the table in the sun, the light spot will fade a bit and get darker over time.
IMO any attempt to stain is an expirement. You don't know what the finish is, or what will affect it. I wouldn't go that way unless I was willing to strip the table if it came to it.
The defect occurred during a weekend. The person responsible told us that the light-colored mark was caused by a hot ceramic bowl. The finish is very definitely a stain/clear system. There is no noticeable difference in the surface of the clear coating over the lighter area than in the area surrounding the mark. My experience with stains and UV exposure is that UV will “bleach” pigments and dyes that are not UV stable. Regardless, the mark was not caused by exposure to sunlight. I’m wondering whether the heat may have caused something to bleed out of or through the veneer. In that case, it seems unlikely that the mark can be repaired. Thanks.
Wow, so definitely heat. If you make the attempt please come back and post how it went.