You are here:

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/repairing old mahogany table

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/22/2008


Question

top
I have an old mahogany table that a dog walked on and scratched it. It has a nice patina but the scratches are ugly. I think it might be veneer. I'm am pretty handy. Any ideas where to begin.

Answer
Hi Mark
Great picture of the damage.
Short of stripping and refinishing which is a last resort, I would try this.
First clean the entire table top down with very fine steel wool dipped in mineral spirits. Dry as you go with clean rags.
Next get a small can of Minwax stain in the closest color to the table top. Colors are not always correct on pictures so I won't guess but they have color charts for Minwax.
Your lucky in that this wood takes stain very well.
So rub a coat of stain over the entire table top. Wipe back excess with a clean rag. Let dry well. This could take a couple of days so don't panic.
Mark this top looks like it has very little finish.
So next I would rub on a coat of low sheen tung oil.
Thats how I would fix this without stripping.
Hope this helps
Regards
Eileen

Eileen Cronk

Expertise

Hi..I can answer most questions about the repairing,stripping and refinishing of all your old furniture and wood items(the things we call antiques)I can give advice about what to buy/avoid at auctions/flea markets. I do not give appraisals on antiques.

Experience

I have been refinishing antiques for the past 30yrs. While I have taken several courses over the years,I have found that "hands on" learning is the best teacher. Perhaps I can help you avoid some of the mistakes I made while learning.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.