Expert: Eileen Cronk - 6/9/2009

Question
I have an antique dark wood table over 200 years old and the backing off of a table cloth is stuck to it, i have tried alot of things to get it off, do not want to hurt the wood.  This table is precious to me, is there anything i can use to get it off,  It was refinished about 10 years ago, this has happened since then.  Had i known it was goingto do that, i would never have put it on, i thought i was saving it.    HELP ME

Answer
Hi Robin
Nice to hear from you.
Sorry this has happened.
Try some mineral spirits and a piece of fine steel wool.
Dip the wool in the spirits and rub with the grain.
This will not harm the wood in any way but it may not work.
What you are doing with this method is using a mild abrasive (the steel wool), along with an agent (the mineral spirits) that will dissolve the wax and any accumulated grime that the table cloth is sticking to. That is the hope.
If however the cloth has degraded the finish and softened it to the point that caused the cloth to adhere to it, a complete refinish of the top will be needed...its second in ten years LOL.
Don't fret, its not a biggy.
Regards
Eileen