Expert: Eileen Cronk - 3/24/2009

Question
I built a solid oak dining table a couple of years ago and although it has held up very well so far, there are a few scratches on the top from normal wear that have developed and I'm not sure how to fix the scratches and have the top look like new again. It was finished with miniwax oil based stain and about 6 coats of satin Poly. Thanks. Ron

Answer
Hi Ron
Nice to hear from you.
Just so you know in future, 6 coats of poly is way too much.
Three usually and four max.
Its easy to fix a finish when you know exactly what it is.
So in this case, a sanding with 220 sandpaper and another coat of satin poly.
I realise the scratches could be deep with so many coats of poly but this is the only way short of stripping and starting over and theres really no need for that. Just try to feather out the scratches. Don't concentrate the sandpaper too much on the scratches though or you will have dips in the finish.
And if you make sure your table, poly and room are nice and warm when you apply the poly it will flow well and fill what might remain of the scratches. Whats nice and warm you may ask LOL..around 70 F is fine. You can also get too warm and the poly dries too fast and doesn't flow.
Good Luck
Regards
Eileen