help with repairing my table please

[gbell]

Hi I have a lovely new oak table and "someone" left a liquid airfreshner on it that has leaked and taken the top layer off, for a patch about 2" x 1"

Anyone know how to fix it?

[TePe]

Hi gbell, sorry to hear about your table.

Not an easy one to fix IME, first you need to make sure the wood has not been marked/stained, if it has that will need to be sorted first.

Then you need to check what the existing covering is, before thinking of touching it. A lot of the modern coatings are what they call '2 pack' and don't lend themselves to patching easily. Although if the existing coating is not cellulose soluble it may be possible to build up layer after layer of cellulose laquer, then buff to a finish to match the existing. Be aware it is not easy to do and match it so it is not noticeable.

It might be better getting a quote from 'furniture medic' they do have a good reputation, but I have no idea of their prices.

Good luck. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[bodrighy]

As said if it is the surface coating that is damaged you may well be able to cut it back and recoat but it does depend on what the finish is. Is the oak a natural colour or has it been stained before the damage? If you can post a picture I might be able to make some suggestions. Depending on the finish it may well be recoverable.

Pete

[gbell]

thanks ill get a picture sorted later on.

[gbell]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v256/gbell/P1060047.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v256/gbell/P1060048-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v256/gbell/P1060049-1.jpg

[Critchley]

Ouch, nasty. Such a shame. I was given an old gateleg table several years ago - the top was quite badly marked. My brother who is a carpenter, loaned me a scraping tool and I completely took the surface off the top of it and re varnished it finishing up with several coats of polyeurathene for added protection and it looked a real treat. I was very proud of it. I hope you don't have to go to that extreme though. Good luck with your quest.

[bodrighy]

It looks as though the stripping has gone right down to the bare wood. The chances of matching the colouring of the original finish are small and I think stripping the top is probably your only answer. A cabinet scraper is probably your best bet. Don't be tempted to use a power sander as it is far too fierce and you will end up with a corrugated top. Possibly an orbital sander but be careful with it. I'd advise doing it outside as well unless there is somwhere you can do it that you don't mind getting dust and shavings evverywere. Personally I would scrape with a cabinet scraper then either wax polish, loads of coats or oil it. I am not a fan of poly finishes as they are prone to this sort of thing happening again and with wax and oil you can simply scrape and hand sand back and redo if it happens again.

Hope this helps

Pete

[gbell]

ah damn, thanks for the help, i had an old pine table for 23 years, treat myself to a new one after the kids have finished with homework and art and stuff and this happens!:mf:

better get sanding:mad:

[gbell]

as a temporary measure i was looking for some wax in the cupboard to rub in it and came across a tin of light tan shoe polish

worked a treat!!:D

[bodrighy]

Try it. Worse scenario is it doesn't match and you'll need to clear it off. If it works it's be a lot less effort than sanding back the whole top. Bigest problem is matching the colour. Who knows...you might be lucky.

Pete