Asked on Apr 12, 2014
How to repair/ fix the damaged finish?
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My dining table is fairly new,but the finish is not holding up. We are in the process of buying a house and I don't want to replace it yet,nor do I want to paint it. I think it is a combination of pressed wood and real wood. Do you know of a product that might help. I have some paste finishing wax from Minwax in both natural and for dark colors..would that help?
10 answers
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I would buy some dark Old English furniture polish and try that first.
Jeanette S
on Apr 12, 2014
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Is it new enough that it might still be covered by a warranty?
Cheryl Fillenwarth
on Apr 12, 2014
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Thanks folks, the warranty was only for one yearand it is not quite two yrs old. I think that I may look for some old English furniture polish. This table top doesn't seem to like water. I thought that I was being careful and using damp rag with a bit of Melaleuca furniture cleaner, and now the color on the top is just disappearing.
Donna Arsenault
on Apr 12, 2014
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Just refinish it...simple solution...General Finishes Gel Stain. I get mine on Amazon...ONLY use General Finishes brand. I have tried others and it did NOT work the same as this tutorial I linked here http://beckwithstreasures.com/journal/2013/3/14/bathroom-makeover-on-the-cheap...scroll towards the bottom and use the "Monica Wants It" link. Her tutorial is for cabinets, but it works on furniture as well...I have used it many times on table and dresser tops. I have used the Java color...but the other colors are good as well. FOLLOW HER INSTRUCTIONS TO A T! After the first coat. you will be cursing us and questioning our judgment...keep going. After the 3rd coat, you will see some amazing results. And the top coat is totally awesome!!!! No stripping and VERY little sanding...as in, barely! This is a VERY durable finish. Using oils and waxes on furniture is a LAST resort...they have to be stripped before you can refinish or paint in the future, so I would avoid them...even "cleaners" or "polishes" with wax in them.
Beckwith Campbell
on Apr 12, 2014
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@Beckwith Campbell Would you please double check the link you included. I'm interested in seeing it but it says page can't be found. Thanks!
Shari
on Apr 12, 2014
- See 1 previous
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Sorry....it was picking up the "scroll" http://beckwithstreasures.com/journal/2013/3/14/bathroom-makeover-on-the-cheap Try that...
Beckwith Campbell
on Apr 12, 2014
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If you're in the process of moving, why not use a tablecloth instead of the expense and labor you will invest in other products?
Betty819
on Apr 13, 2014
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I had a table that did the same thing. I tried Old English and paste wax with no improvement. I got a scratch cover pen (like a magic marker) in the wood tone that matched my table. I found it at either Lowes or Home Depot but I've also seen them at Walmart in the paint department. That somewhat camouflaged the scratches but it was only a short term fix because it kept getting worse. I think in the case of my table, the protective finish was wearing away which allowed moisture to seep into the veneer and it started lifting and bubbling a little, especially along the edges of the grooves. In addition, the grooves on the table top were nothing but a crumb catcher and that drove me crazy so I eventually did a partial refinishing job on the top (lightly sanded, restained and poly'd it) and then sold the table and chairs on Craigslist. If you think you want to keep the table, I would suggest refinishing and applying several coats of a protective poly or something similar. Or, if you don't have time to mess with it now, do like Betty 819 suggested and throw a tablecloth over it (at least when you sit down to eat) to protect it from further damage and moisture until you do have time to refinish it. Another option you might consider if you want to keep it is have a piece of glass cut to fit the top
Shari
on Apr 13, 2014
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I would start with old English light and see how it takes then add or mix some with the darker because I tried the dark on oak and its way too dark.
Sandy Tromin
on Apr 14, 2014
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Hi folks who commented. Here is what I came up with. I found a product from Howard at Home Hardware called Restor-a-finish. It claims to restore the original color and ouster while blending out minor scratches and blemishes. I rubbed some on my table in small areas to start, then rubbed in some permanent black marker in light strokes over the blemishes, and then rubbed away the excess with my rag.Thankfully my grain has some black in it. I think it turned out well and I am happy for now. What do you think of the results?
Donna Arsenault
on May 09, 2014
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