Replies

1. 
   Floss | Feb 05, 2006 04:48am | #1

   rocky3,

   What type of damage is it? Is it just staining or water rings or is the finish actually gone and there are places of bare wood?

   You could try wax that comes in different colors if there is a color difference in the finish. Try using a small can of shoe polish. Get a few different colors like black, tan and cordovan. Plus get a can of paste wax. Use the shoe polish to try and even out the color after yo apply the paste wax to the whole top.

   J.P.

   http://www.jpkfinefurniture.com
2. 
   tradesman | Feb 05, 2006 06:14am | #2

   If the water damage is light you might get by with wiping the surface cautiously with denaturated alcohol. Give it some time inbetween and the rings or white spots will dissapear.

3. 
   forestgirl | Feb 07, 2006 08:35pm | #3

   First thing you need to know is whether the water got beneath the finish and into the wood.  A white ring or spot generally means the damage is only in the finish.  A black ring is not good news -- that's into the wood.  What color is it?

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   

1. 
   rocky3 | Feb 08, 2006 02:50am | #4

   you are right.  Some flakes of finish are gone and the stains are black.  Someone must have had a plant on the top and overwatered it.  Water got under the finish and it flaked off.  The undistilled water contained iron so it turned the wood black.  Will oxallic acid bleach it spots and then dying the wood back to match and then repair the finish.  Getting the finish repair to dissappear will be especially tough.  Any suggestions?

   Thanks, Rocky

1. 
   forestgirl | Feb 08, 2006 03:53am | #5

   I've done a fair amount of refinishing over the years, but I never could get the blend-it-in thing down.  Probably a mental block on my part.  Maybe Gretchen or someone will come along and help!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)