HELP! How do I fix my coffee table?!
by
Jenni P
+29
My coffee table and entire living room set is only a few years old. However, the coffee table is in desperate need of being fixed. There are several horrible stains on top and a lot of dings and scratches from moving across the country. I would love to do a pop color and add a layer of glass on top so we no longer have to deal with the dips and ridges. Thoughts? Should I just finish the top or do the whole thing?!!
23 answers
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These two ladies know all about furniture fixing/beautifying! @SK on Elderberry @Tana, Little Red Bag Productions :)
Hannah V
on Sep 08, 2014
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You can remove water stains and probably that white spot too, with a little toothpaste. Just dab a little on your finger and rub in. It takes a little rubbing, but once the stain is removed, just wipe with water and dry!
Merri M
on Sep 10, 2014
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Get a product called Restore. It restores most wood stuff back to brand new finish looking without having to strip. The product goes through the finish down to core.It comes in good stain colors and really works.You can get a some antiques dealers for about 9 dollars a can. It goes a long way. If can't find go to thehappyhandyman.com I did it on all mine when I moved this last time due to damage. It all looks like new. Then had glass cut to fit all the tops.Easy to use too.
Wanda.ll
on Sep 10, 2014
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Google Annie Sloan Chalk Paint....you will a ton of great info on this very versatile paint as well as many tutorials and before and after pics. It is a terrific way to give a damaged piece of furniture (or anything else, really) a new life. Have fun with it !
Trina Williams
on Sep 10, 2014
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I agree with Wanda the restore does a great job, i have used it. Also you could get glass for the top and get creative for under the glass, it could be pics of friends or a piece of antique lace, or just a nice piece of fabric. It is limitless what you can do.
Louise Fulton
on Sep 10, 2014
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Sand the top, paint it a pretty color, place family photos on top and cover with glass. Personalized and functional again.
Betsy Woolford
on Sep 10, 2014
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The easiest solution to your problem is a good chalk paint, such as Annie Sloan or American Paint Company paints. They come in a variety of wonderful colors. And the greatest part about this great paint is there is NO sanding and NO priming to prepare the surface for painting. Paint right over those water marks and scratches! These paints are available on-line from many retailers.
Debbie Dickman - The Magpie's Cottage
on Sep 10, 2014
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its alot of work- sand, stain,&lacqer-don't try tom do just the top-you'll never match the colourr
Louis Lieberman
on Sep 10, 2014
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I have heard mayo works
Kim Beauregard
on Sep 10, 2014
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If you want to just cover up the nicks and dings use a product called OLD ENGLISH---at Target in the dusting section---this will cover those edge scrapes etc. Might even help with that ghastly white spot in top! If you still have the top issues I would look for nice scrap book paper and either adhere it to the table or just lay it on top and then cover with glass. This is cheap and endless varieties of paper are out there at Michaels etc; if you want to change them weekly you could!--and if something seeped under the glass you could just remove and replace. If you put photos under the glass make SURE they are COPIES in case anything does either get under the glass--moisture etc--or the surface of the photos can STICK to glass and will not be able to be removed.
Comet
on Sep 10, 2014
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If you want to keep it the way it is (minus the few boo-boo's) Mayonnaise will remove the water marks, and for the scratches, I would get a Minwax pen that is as close to the color of wood to touch of those. Both are super easy and cheap!
Kelly French Johnson
on Sep 10, 2014
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New Life Furniture Masque is what we use in our antiques shop -- tried Restore -- no comparison!!!
Debi McCoy
on Sep 10, 2014
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You could buy wall paper, or shelf paper in color/pattern you like. Cut to exact size and apply.
Mc
on Sep 10, 2014
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First remove water spot . Farmer's Almanac newsletter. It says to use mayonnaise to remove water stains from wood and a Mr Clean Sponge . Then mix corn oil and vinegar clean table . So easy !
Wilma Hurley
on Sep 10, 2014
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Thanks everyone! The bug white spot is actually from nail polish remover seeping through the dish I had it in... I don't know if that changes anything with the store bought stain removers/fixers.
Jenni P
on Sep 11, 2014
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Jenni, There was a great post a couple of days ago from a gal who used patterned wallpaper from Lowels on the top of her plane jane coffee table. She then painted and antiqued it with dark was or glaze. That would look awersome on your table! Just thought of that after my second cup of coffee!
Debbie Dickman - The Magpie's Cottage
on Sep 11, 2014
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There is a product called KILZ. It is used to paint over a darker color wall paint and this would be perfect for your porblem. Read can instructions to make sure it will adhere to wood. My 2nd reply to your problem. I understand your "pain".
Mc
on Sep 11, 2014
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I would think nail polish remover has ruined that finish on the top. The cover the top with something - paper, fabric, etc - idea then glass sounds best to me....unless you are really attached to the look of the wood. Then refinish it. You also have the ability to change the paper under glass idea anytime you wish, like for Christmas or season. Might really be interesting.
Cindy
on Sep 12, 2014
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When my children were young we had a large old desk. I took pictures that we already had of all of us and covered the desk top with them. Then my husband put a large piece of clear plex-a -glass over them and it looked great. We had a fish tank on it and also the kids could use it for projects and I did the bill paying there. It was always nice to see the pictures that usually are kept in photo albums.
Judy
on Sep 12, 2014
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I don't know what your white spot is, however, I found this on hometalk just a short time ago & saved it because I have waterspots on my grandmother's ancient Singer sewing machine from my stepmother watering potted plants on it, I have not tried this but the young woman showed before & after photos & I also saved her blog addy so here you go... Recipe for removingWater Stains and marks from furniture: Olive Oil and Table Salt Mix the olive oil and the salt in a bowl to make a thickpaste. The salt draws out the moisture,and the olive oil feeds the wood. And itis magical. Then, simply rub the pasteonto the damaged area. I made minepretty thick, and just sat it on the areas where I had damage. Leave sit for approximately: 30 minutes, andwipe all excess paste off of furniture. All of the stains will magically be gone! From: http://sweetparrishplace.blogspot.com/2014/07/trashtastic-tuesday-how-to-remove-water.html
Missingtx
on Oct 08, 2014
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NEVE do only part of a project- It's next to impossible to match stains!!!!
Louis Lieberman
on Oct 09, 2014
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Paint the top black with a high gloss enamel and use a stain stick in dark walnut on the legs!
Holly Anderson
on Oct 09, 2014
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You could do a mosaic top.... you already have a lip edge to frame it out.
The Chirping Frog
on Oct 11, 2014
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