Ideas to prevent scratching on dining room table?

Joanne
by Joanne
Put poly. on it several years ago, but it still scratches. what do you recommend putting on it so it will stay pretty and not scratch or dent?

  4 answers
  • Coasters, placemats, tablecloth, trivits, table runner. We ate in the dining room every night. Back in the day they made good quality flannel backed tablecloths, and when we were kids, it went on the table every night before dinner. Use something that protects the surface when in use for less chances of damaging the top.

  • Amy Ogden-Paparone Amy Ogden-Paparone on Mar 05, 2018

    Real wood will always get scratches, that's just a fact of life, but you can do your best to prevent them as best you can. You can make sure you use place mats or a table cloth when you're eating on it, you can make sure that rough surfaced bowls and plates are put on hot plates or on a table runner. When you're not using the table to eat, make sure everyone knows nothing goes on it without something underneath it first. Good Luck and hope this helps.

  • Nicki Petruzzella Kerns Nicki Petruzzella Kerns on Mar 05, 2018

    Cover the table with a cloth, placemats or table pads. I have an antique dining room table, solid walnut, that is our kitchen table because we don't have a formal dining room. That table has been covered in table pads since nearly day 1 because I was terrified the finish would get damaged. My kids are fifteen and nineteen now and I don't think they even know what the top of the table looks like! LOL

  • Jlnatty Jlnatty on Mar 05, 2018

    You could try a furniture refinisher product, like Formby's or Howards, but they may not work on a poly topcoat. You can find these at big box home improvement stores. Check the label directions to see if the product will only work on "old" finishes like varnish. As far as I know, the best way to protect a table top that is heavily used is old fashioned table pads. The pads will protect it from dents, but if something very heavy is dropped on the table top well, even table pads might not protect it. Table padding is practical, not "pretty" - you will want to cover it with a table cloth if you decide to go that route. It could be that the poly finish has worn off and/or has gotten scratched over the years (you said you applied it several years ago). The table surface (the wood) itself might also have gotten scratched. If the wood itself is scratched, you may want to refinish the table top (strip, sand, attempt to steam out dents, etc.) , restain and put a new protective coat on. Then either purchase ready-made table pads (lots of choices available online) or make your own by cutting corrugated cardboard boxes to size (I would cut in pieces so you can fold and put away) and cover in soft flannel or felt, use painters tape to tape the pieces together but also can fold, and cover with a pretty washable table cloth.