Somebody set the Domino’s box directly onto the table, leaving a white fog in the finish. Jeff Jewitt’s article “How to Fix Damaged Finishes” (http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00084.asp) said to first determine what kind of finish was used by testing with denatured alcohol or lacquer thinner. Alcohol had no effect and I didn’t have any lacquer thinner, but I did have nail-polish remover and it dissolved the finish.
Does this tell you what kind of finish was used?
The next step: “If the finish is lacquer or shellac, a light padding with a rag moistened with denatured alcohol will remove the white spot.” Can I just substituting acetone for the denatured alcohol?
The table was made in the early 1980s and has a rosewood veneer. After a year, the veneer started to crack and lift in some places; the dealer said that was very common (wish he’d said so *before* we bought it) and to just sand the edges down. Sounded rather harsh so I never tried it, and fortunately the problem didn’t worsen. I mention the table’s age, composition, and characteristics in case it provides information on what kind of finish and adhesive were used. I don’t want to use a solvent that dissolves the finish AND unglues the veneer!
Janet
P.S.
Some cosmetics companies refer to nail polish as “lacquer”, which I figured was just an affectation. Come to think of it…Is acetone the same thing as lacquer thinner?
Replies
but I did have nail-polish remover and it dissolved the finish.
Now you do have a problem. That is acetone and dissolves more than you wanted. I hope you did this on a hidden area of the piece. DO NOT use acetone. You can first try rubbing the white spot with mayonnaise and see if that will release the blush. Then try a rag BARELY moist with denatured alcohol and sort of "waft" it over the spot. If you put acetone on the top, someone else is going to have to help you.
Yesterday, the drawer I had in my car with the intent of bringing it in to a paint store to match color, was damaged by the first rain of the summer when I left the windows open. It was almost comical. White spots all over the recently cleaned surface. So following Flexner, I covered it with furniture polish overnight, and now there is just a trace of spotting (and a pretty good lustre). Now I am inclined to try the alcohol treatment. Think it will work? Thanks, Todd
Another trick for white marks...USE NATURAL SOAP and rub lightly in small circles. No natural soap? take a little oil (olive, vegtable, etc.) and add ashes form a fire place...soap. good luck
I tried lacquer thinner on my table and have concluded that the finish, which dissolved, is lacquer.
Mr. Jewitt wrote, "If the finish is lacquer or shellac, a light padding with a rag moistened with denatured alcohol will remove the white spot."--But...how can this treatment work for both finishes, when the alcohol dissolves one and doesn't affect the other?
Is this an error, i.e., should I be using *lacquer thinner* instead of denatured alcohol?
Janet
Stick with the alcohol- it will penetrate the lacquer and replace the trapped moisture - white spot. Don't use too much - alcohol will damage the lacquer.
If you can't get the spot out, Howard's Restor-A-Finish will do the job.
Another alternative is to re-spray the top with another coat of lacquer (after cleaning and scuff sanding). The new coat of lacquer will melt into the previous coat and release the mositure.
Paul
F'burg, VA
"alcohol...will penetrate the lacquer and replace the trapped moisture"
Paul,
I know that trapped water caused the white marks, but the Domino's Disaster was years ago--surely any water in the finish has long since dissipated. Does the alcohol do anything other than pull out moisture, e.g., "melt" the finish a bit?
Well, I have nothing to lose by using the denatured alcohol, except perhaps a few brain cells. Which reminds me: Are there any products that *don't* contain substances "known in California to cause cancer or reproductive harm"?
What is in Howard's Restore-a-Finish?
Janet
What is in Howard's Restore-a-Finish?
Not sure what is in it but it can be a miracle worker to renew a finish and remove white marks. It is worth it to have some on hand--comes in various "colors"--the darker ones will cover the most problems.Gretchen
Sounds like a lacquer finish. The blush was caused by heat from the box softening the finish. Mosture from the box then became suspended in the finish. The easyist way ro repair is to lightly dust on a slower evaporing lacquer solvent such as butyalacetate. Dust it on very lightly. An air brush will do. It may take more than one application. The repaired finish may be crazed or feel rough. This can be easily fixed with padding lacquer applied simular to french polishing. This wii require plenty of ventalation.
Rick
Fayetteville, Ga
In a true lacquer finish the solvent is still being released up to several years after the finish was applied. This is one of the reasons they are no longer used in automotive, lots of solvent being released into the atmosphere, not to mention a finish that is very low in percent volume solids.
Several of your other respondents have obviously had more experience with this situation than I so go by what they say. Solvents are by no means universal or necessarily similar, do not substitue one for the other the results maybe disasterous.
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