Expert: Eileen Cronk - 2/18/2009

Question
QUESTION:  a plant was sent on the top of this piece of furniture and left a ring but it also cracked the wood, what would be the best way to repair this

ANSWER: Hi Jolene
Nice to hear from you.
Damage like this is hard for the do it yourselfer to attempt.
The plant must have been there a while if it cracked the wood (veneer).
Jolene I want you to take a close look at this ring and describe it to me.
Is this a black ring or whitish and a bit hazey?
The fix is different for both, but I must know if there is any black.
Look forward to your reply.
Regards
Eileen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: it is black

Answer
Hi again Jolene
As I feared.
The top will need to be stripped first.
Then the wood must be bleached to remove the black.
But...there is the problem of the cracked veneer within this dark ring.
I can only hope the veneer is still secure and only slightly cracked.
If this is the case and I was making the repair, I would fill the cracks with wood filler then lightly sand.
Then restain the entire top and apply a new finish.
This type of repair is never perfect but its the best one can hope for.
Really think about taking this lovely old piece to a pro to have the repair done if possible.
Regards
Eileen