Table Stain

[GGorman04]

I have tried numerous products to remove the marks in the pic that were caused by a glass table that was sitting on the top.
Any suggestions??

 

[The motor guy]

Yeah sand it down and re finish the table.

 

[GGorman04]

Honestly I was trying to avoid doing that but it may be necessary

 

[demarpaint]

Before refinishing it give Murphy's Oil soap a try. You might get lucky. They used to make a paste which worked very well, although they don't show it on their site anymore.

 

[aualtima3.5]

baby oil and baking soda.

make it like a paste, rub it in, and see what happens.

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Try Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It's slightly abrasive though so I would use it if other cleaners and polishes don't work.

 

[pcoxe]

Just looks like shiny spots in the picture. Maybe buffing with something coarse will even things out.

 

[Kestas]

I agree. It looks like the table has a matte finish and the glass burnished a few spots to make them shiny.

 

[dave123]

Is the table closed pore finish? It looks as if it is
If refinish is a option be carefull what you try no pledge or any other snake oils as it could potentially be disasterous for refinish.

 

[Astro14]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
I agree. It looks like the table has a matte finish and the glass burnished a few spots to make them shiny.


I can't tell from the pictures, but if it's a satin or matte finish, then those spots are the result of "polishing" from the glass pads.

So, the marks are not stains, despite the thread title, and the fix is to bring the finish to an even sheen. So, rubbing out the finish is the fix. However, the first step (usually a 400 grit wet/dry, but 0000 steel wool could be used since this is an older/existing finish) can cut through a finish if it's old, or thin, or done too aggressively. The next steps are more gentle, if your desire is to bring it back up to semigloss, or even a gloss finish.

I found this article, and while it's for a new (not existing) finish, it's a pretty good overview of the process: http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/Main/A...inish-5261.aspx

And I would start with the 0000 steel wool on this finish, there's a chance that those "marks" are also slight depressions in the wood itself, and so the wet/dry sandpaper would risk damaging the finish around those depressions, while the steel wool cuts less aggressively.

 

[dave123]

It's a good write up but I would avoid that 400 paper it will get you in trouble.

 

[SatinSilver]

Rub some Mayonnaise into it. My mom just did this on a table that had a piece of glass over it. link:

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-remove-water-stains-from-wood-furniture.html

 

[Kuato]

Agree with Astro - looks like the round cushions under the glass protected the finish from aging, and it is the rest of the top that needs attention.

 

[sleddriver]

Not enough information really. Don't know what type of finish that is (oil, varnish, poly, shellac, lacquer, etc.) It does look like small circular pads as others have mentioned. So it possibly could have 'polished' one small area as the glass moved. Dresner is a noted authority. So is Bob Flexner (Understanding Wood Finishing). 0000 steel wool is preferable over 400 grit (far too rough) IMO. You may make it worse if you mess with it however.....

 

[GGorman04]

Sorry for the lack of detail. The table did have a glass on top of it that was held in place by the little round pads.

 

[Kestas]

So the glass never made contact with the finish?... and the marks are from the pads?

 

[GGorman04]

Kestas that is correct.
Sorry for the delay
Any suggestion?

 

[Kestas]

It's possible the pads also polished the finish in those localized areas. Micromotion from felt can easily do that.

 

[dave123]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
Micromotion from felt can easily do that.

Yes on cheap finish that should not be used on table tops.

 

[Kestas]

I wouldn't blame the table finish as much as I'd blame the felt. Rubber pads wouldn't burnish the finish as much as felt would.