Expert: Eileen Cronk - 6/24/2008

Question
Hi Eileen, hope you can help. I have three problems. I have a white washed oak bedroom set and three questions.
1. It has yellowed, anyway to bring back the color?
2. There are some brown spots on the surface from rubber legs on music boxes, can they be removed?
3. There is one small area where the stain has peeled from a water glass being left on it, what is the best way to repair this small area?

Help in any area is appreciated, thanks!

Answer
Hi Peggy
Nice to hear from you.
1..Unfortunately the finish has yellowed and there is no way to get that out. I will make an exception to that and say that if there are smokers in the house it could be yellowed from smoke and just needs a good cleaning.
2..Try some mineral spirits on a rag to try to get the brown marks off.
If that fails use superfine steel wool dipped in the mineral spirits.
That should get it for sure but it may dull the finish a bit so a bit of wax after that.
3..the tough question..if I was there "hands on", I could better help with this. Its just tricky to say without seeing the damage.
So try smoothing the area with steel wool.
You just want to smooth it out and not go so far as to remove the white wash. Then brush on a bit of lacquer (I am assuming the finish is lacquer but once again I'm not there).
Hope this helps some.
Kind Regards
Eileen