Expert: Eileen Cronk - 2/19/2009

Question
A silence cloth was put back with the plastic side toward the wood.  It has left a waffle effect on the finish. I have never used furniture polish or wax on the Vilas.  I understand that it is best just to use warm water with a little detergent.  Unfortunately, nothing seems to be getting rid of these marks.  Any suggestions?  Will I have to refinish?  Appreciate any help you can give me. Thks

Answer
Hi Pat
Nice to hear from you.
Sorry this has happened.
When you run the palm of your hand over the top is it perfectly smooth or do you feel a slight roughness from the marks?
I am hoping this has not ate into the finish.
In any event try this first.
Take a nice soft cloth and slightly moisten it in mineral spirits (called varsol if you are in Canada).
Just try a small area. Gently rub.
I really don't feel you should have to refinish until we have tried all we can to help this.
If this fails to remove the marks, get a small can of tung oil.
Get gloss if the top is shiny or low luster if its not.
Once again slightly moisten a clean rag and rub a tiny area to see if that removes the marks.
And Pat I would ask that you get back to me after trying the above.
Regards
Eileen