Expert: Eileen Cronk - 7/25/2008

Question
I have a gloss finish on maple wood and would like to dull it because it looks cloudy in certain spots and I can't get it out no mattter how much I clean it.

It goes away with lemon oil until I wipe it off.

Answer
Hi Rick
Nice to hear from you.
I am fairly certain this will be a lacquer finish and it can cloud like your table.
Before anything else, wipe the table top with a rag dipped in mineral spirits.
This will remove polish and lemon oil and any grime.
Then get a product called "Blush Eraser".
See if that removes the cloud. I'm pretty sure it will.
Try that before thinking of dulling the rest of the table to match the cloud.
I would hate to see you get into trying to dull the finish on a table and chair set but you asked how so I'll tell you.
First the wipe down with mineral spirits and a rag.
Then the set will need to be well deglazed so a new finish will stick.
I would do this with 220 grit sandpaper. And be aware its a miserable job sanding chairs in this manner but if everything is not sanded properly you have no hope of anything sticking to it.
Then apply a low luster clear coat.
But please try the Blush Eraser before anything and post back.
Regards
Eileen