This part of my dining table is splintering. How can I repair it?

Linda
by Linda
This golden oak table is about 30 years old. It's in good shape except this section that seems to be rotting away. I clean it with Murphy's Oil several times a year. The rest of the time I just dust it with microfiber cloths. All suggestions are appreciated.
  6 answers
  • Cori Widen Cori Widen on Apr 13, 2017

    You can use a knife to remove an particularly pesky pieces, and then use a putty knife to apply wood glue between the splinter and the table, and also on top. That should work for a small splinter like that...

  • Sylvia Candler Sylvia Candler on Apr 13, 2017

    Linda, you live in a very dry climate in San Marcos. To prevent further damage to your table and any other wood furniture I strongly suggest you oil it at least once a month with Murphy's or lemon oil but do keep it hydrated! I lived in Escondido for years and went to Palomar College so I know the area well. Let us know how the repair came out! Good luck!

  • Cat22479657 Cat22479657 on Apr 13, 2017

    Your tables is suffering from excessive dryness. If you can't find this then order it on line. "Howard Feed-N-Wax wood Polish & Conditioner Beeswax & Orange Oil"

    I buy it by the case because I have "many" wood pieces in my home. Some are newer pieces and some are antique, and others are family heirlooms. Wood needs good penetrating natural oils & waxes the key is natural and you can't beat "Beeswax & Orange Oils to hydrate your wood! I wouldn't cut anything out of your table!! I have refinished many pieces of wood furniture over the last 40 years! I would do a little experimenting go to a Lowes or lumber yard and buy a small piece of scrap oak simliar to your table. Ask which wood glue dries clear in places without clamps? Explain that you are repairing a small splinter in a tablet and you can't clamp it! I know what I would use here but it depends on your climat!! Use your pic and match a stain, and buy a sand block ( they're cheap) & the courses sand paper you can get! Your table is 30 yrs old so the Golden Oak has darken over the years so you may have to mixing Golden Oak stain with a little Med Oak or something else that helps get it to match your table as close as it can. Mix quite a bit of your stain together because your going to need it for later. Then after your happy with your stain match, cut your course sand paper to fit your sanding block. I would tear me off a big square of aluminum foil to keep my shavings clean. Place it under your Oak piece and go to sanding on your wood to get you a good pile of wood shavings! You need more than enough to fill in your splinter place on your table. ( BTW arts & crafts Popsicle sticks works well) When you have enough then you mix in some stain and stir it in good and keep doing that until the new wood matches your table Well! I would carefully clean the splinter area with a cotton ball and a small amount of mineral spirits to remove any residue.

    Mix Your stained saw dust with your glue and stir well! Very carefully add small amounts to your splinter place until it's filled in, then with a clean stick lay it flat & slowly pack it down. Take a small rag and apply a layer of stain to blend. I think you will be very happy with the out come! Let it dry 24-48 hrs

    • Claire reed Claire reed on Apr 15, 2017

      I am very impressed with the detail you gave to your instructions. You must have some beautiful pieces. I am going to buy the beeswax product you mentioned. Thanks

  • Linda Linda on Apr 13, 2017

    Thank you all for your advice. Catncancun, you seem like an expert so I saved your comments for reference. Thanks!

  • Larry Chura Larry Chura on Apr 14, 2017

    Catncancun's approach is correct. I personally would match the piece of wood and the stain. I would then cut out the bad section of the table top and make a grain and color matched patch, This would have to be exact and would be tensioned from the bottom with shims and a wood spline in a grove. That way it could still expand as needed and still fit tightly. Either way, you have an interesting project before you.

  • Joyce Morosini Joyce Morosini on Apr 16, 2017

    I agree with Catncancun's