I am looking at purchasing some used dining room furniture.

Teresa D
by Teresa D
I've seen several tables (wood) that have scratches and water/cup rings. I was wondering if it is possible to repair some of these? I imagine the answer is "it depends". I am guessing it would depend on the finish, the wood, how deep the scratch is, etc. I think most of the tables I am looking at have a veneer top - not solid wood (just guessing). They don't always seem to know. I am thinking that I can't sand and fix scratches on a veneer or laminate top and it would not be worth the purchase but figured I'd put the question out there to the experts. I've seem some really nice sets but the table is seriously scratched.
Any advice you can offer regarding scratches and water rings on wood tabletops would be great. KMS .. are you out there?
A table I'm considering purchasing
clear photo similar to some scratches I've seen
Another example of some scratches I've seen
  18 answers
  • There are some great restoration kits with wood wax fillers (pens, crayons, markers) in multiple colors that can help cover up distress on a veneer. The secret as I understand is not to get one or two pens but get the big mix box (think of it as the 4 crayon box vs the 64 crayon box). To really use them properly takes some practice but I have seen some people do well with them. If you are not going to hire a professional to touch up the spots and restore, you might consider getting one of the better kits (perhaps someone can recommend one) and practice on a few chairs or pieces of furniture you currently have and that will give you a better ability to judge what you may be able to fix on your own. I am sure someone can give you tips on removing rings too.
  • RAGordy RAGordy on Nov 01, 2011
    I found a great pedastal dining room table at a thrift store. I sanded the top smooth, then primed and painted the table black (semigloss). If the wood grain has blemishes, that may be your cheapest option. Matching stain is more art than science, and isn't for the faint of heart. Good luck.
  • Peace Painting Co., Inc. Peace Painting Co., Inc. on Nov 01, 2011
    Teresa, I've heard denatured alcohol takes out water rings but I'm not sure. CP
  • JL Spring & Associates JL Spring & Associates on Nov 01, 2011
    Just burns me up to see a beautiful piece of furniture with a cigarette burn on it. When shooting pool, I would always tell dudes to get their stinkin' butts off the table! Lots of good advice here, best to you..JL
  • JL Spring & Associates JL Spring & Associates on Nov 01, 2011
    Yes it was...I'd see a drinkin' person lay their butt on the edge of the table while they took their shot and I just hated it. Of course most of the pool tables have, like 10 coats of lacquer so they don't really burn...just get that sickly stinkin nicotine ooze on the edge! Yipes...the good ol' days weren't that good after all! B2U B...JL
  • Teresa D Teresa D on Nov 01, 2011
    I love this site! Belle, I'm kinda jealous. That set is very close to what I'm looking for but I don't want a round table and I want 6 chairs. $100 for that was a GREAT bargain! Thanks for that information and link. Excellent info! Kevin, Gordy, Peace - thanks so much for responding. I will look into your tips and see what works, depending on the table I wind up getting. I may try it on my existing table. I've got some stubborn rings. JL - You're funny!
  • 3po3 3po3 on Nov 01, 2011
    Glad you like Hometalk. Me too. Teresa, refinishing the whole set can be quite a bit of work, especially if you haven't done much work like that before. But it sounds like you could try some fixes on your existing furniture, and see if it works and is enjoyable or if it's just an frustrating mess. If you have the time and energy to keep shopping, I agree with Belle. I think you can probably find something really nice instead of settling for something a little beat up.
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Nov 02, 2011
    Hey I'm here...I have done lots of repairs to old tables as well as new construction. Rather than the Mayo trick for water rings I have just de-glossed with some super fine silicon carbide sandpaper (600 grit) then applied some wiping poly or spray lacquer. The alcohol trick can work on some pieces that are finished with shellac as shellac is dissolved with alcohol...this needs to be done carefully so as to not strip off too much...afterwards a "new" top coat will need to be applied. The "wax crayons" that Kevin mentioned are also a great "easy fix" . The trick with all of these is to start small and test as you go. In some more extreme cases new wood ( solid or veneer) can be installed. A few years ago I had to veneer patch the edges of some dresser fronts as the veneer had been "chipped away" The matching wood was detail cut with a razor blade and grain fit to a nearly seamless repair. Speaking of great deals...I got an 1860's empire styled drop front desk from a client in the $200 range. It was pretty sad looking but built from solid mahogany and walnut crotch veneer. I completely stripped the outside and refinished it ( it was shellac) the inside writing surface was also stripped and refinished. The small cubbies inside were left the natural original finish.
  • Teresa D Teresa D on Nov 02, 2011
    Wow, KMS. That writing desk is beautiful! It sounds like it might not be a bad idea to look at a table that has some flaws if I think I can fix it with some of these tricks. Painting is not the way I want to go. I love the look of woodgrain. I've even balked at the table pads some of the furniture stores offer. It covers up the beautiful design in the table, which is often what drew me to the set anyway! I will continue to look and hopefully find a beautiful set with little flaws, at a great deal! Keep your fingers crossed for me! I'm hoping to find something before Thanksgiving. I'll report back what I wind up purchasing and if I did any repairs.
  • Albert's Wood Studio Albert's Wood Studio on Nov 02, 2011
    Hi Teresa. I can do all types of furniture repars. If I can help please let me know. I am in Lawrenceville. probably not to far from you.
  • If you don't find the used table you are looking for, please come by and look at our new tables. We have some gorgeous ones in right now.
  • Karen G Karen G on Nov 03, 2011
    Paint the inside areas, including the door, a dark color, the outside a lighter color. I think larger decorative pieces will fill those spaces better than lots of little ones. A big plate on a stand, large basket, pretty stack of flat boxes, etc.
  • Bernice H Bernice H on Mar 23, 2013
    @Teresa D Just reading your post ...a little late. So what did you do????? Get? Fix?
  • Teresa D Teresa D on Mar 24, 2013
    Hey Bernice, I purchase the table and have yet to attempt to fix the blemish. I just live with it. It is still a pretty set regardless. I think I have a post out here somewhere of the set. Here it is: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/look-what-i-found-on-craigslist-i-finally-found-my-dining-room-set-and-just-in-100893
  • Bernice H Bernice H on Mar 24, 2013
    Very nice..did you solve the handle, pull problem? I really love the chairs. A very good buy @Teresa D edit..yes, I understand about living with an imperfection. It is the history of a piece after all. Pretend it is your oops that did it, and make up a grand story about how it happened! ha!
  • Bernice H Bernice H on Mar 27, 2013
    @Teresa D did you see the post on removing veneer easily? That sounds like a winner!
  • Teresa D Teresa D on Mar 28, 2013
    Hey Bernice! It's the putting back on that I'm concerned about. :-) I've got so many projects right now that I don't even notice the flaws. So many larger things vying for my attention ... especially with Spring here.
  • Cathie F Cathie F on Jul 10, 2013
    Coconut oil use dark stain on q tip and then rub with the oil works like a charm