Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Table scratch advice
Alex
Hi, while working on a craft my aunt accidentally put an item that was recently spray painted onto ouf wooden table. After trying to clean it we were left with a pretty unsightly mark. Are there any easy solutions to remove the mark for people with no wood experience? Thank you
Re: Table scratch advice
Barry Irby
Interesting. What exactly are we looking at? What was the object and the spray?
It appears the finish has been lifted completely off. Is that bare wood showing in the circle? If its bare wood, it suggests the old finish on the table and the new spray have the same or similar solvent. Also suggests the finish is reversible fairly easily. That suggests either lacquer or shellac. Did the spray include either of these or lacquer thinner or alcohol?
Is that a commercially built table that is a few years old but maybe less than fifty? If so it's probably lacquer.
When you wipe over the area with a clean damp cloth or paper towel, does the color reappear and tend to blend?
Let us know and maybe we can help.
Looks like a water mark to me *LINK*
Dick Coers
I've never used this, but reviews are positive. If in fact the finish has been completely removed, you'll need a professionals touch.
http://www.guardsman.com/en/furniture_care/wood_care_products/touch-up_marks_and_scratches/water_ring.html
Re: Table scratch advice
JL
Not a scratch.
Looks like the combination of the solvent from the craft project and the cleaning may have lifted the finish off of the table.
I would try and determine which finish it may be by testing in an unobtrusive place (such as the underside of the table).
I would then gently sand the area in question w/ 220 grit sandpaper and apply more finish.
Re: Table scratch advice
Yonak
I agree with all except the fix. While it's possible, I would say Alex would be hard pressed to finish only the portion of the tabletop that is damaged and not have it show. I believe the entire top will, likely, have to be re-finished.
Re: Table scratch advice
DocJim
Alex, do you know if the spray paint was water based or volatile solvent based? If water based that mark could be a water stain where water penetrates the finish rather than dissolving the finish.
good point and probable cause
Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
Water on lacquer induces zillions of micro cracks (called crazing) that scatter light and appear as a white mark. A lacquer solvent will redissolve the lacquer and when it evaporates the finish will be whole again, but possibly a different luster.
Re: good point and probable cause
Yonak
Yes, we'll know as soon as Alex reports back, after examining the table top, whether or not there is any finish on the surface of the damaged area.