Expert: Greg Scholl - 7/11/2009

Question
I have a 1 year old dining room table that has a tendency to chip, especially
when water (from a glass) is left on the table. I believe the table's material is
rubber tree wood. The chips are fairly shallow and I have recently restored
these blemishes to the correct color (approximately) using "Old English
Scratch Cover for Dark Woods." I also have a few swollen areas - I assume
these are where water has swollen the wood. Assuming that these swollen
areas aren't a huge deal and that I am happy with the color of the repaired
chips, I would like to 1) restore a shine to these chipped areas as the rest of
the table has a sort of glossy finish and 2) ensure that my table can resist
normal wear and tear such as water/eating on it. Is there any way I can
accomplish these things on my own or will I need to
sand/repaint/lacquer/wax etc. which I am unwilling to do? I have a can of
polyurethane but am unsure about applying this as a friend told me it is a
little sticky/tacky on a table surface. What do you suggest?

Answer
Hello Sam, in this situation a strip and refinish is really the best course of action. These tables usually come with an extremely thin factory finish, and Rubberwood is notorious for swelling and not holding stains/finishes well. If the surface is stick/tacky, it could be just food/dirt/grime, or it could be that the existing finish is breaking down. Any sort of temporary measure would be just that, temporary. I would not try to apply anything over a damaged and failing finish, it will just slightly prolong the inevitable....if you're not familiar with finishing techniques, I would call in a Pro to evaluate it with you and they should offer that at no cost. It may not be that expensive to have refinished professionally. If you're deadset on doing this yourself, then the first order of business would be to take some mineral spirits and some 0000 steel wool and thoroughly clean the table surface, drying with clean rags as you go, rubbing in long overlapping strokes with a wet pad of steel wool. This will likely clean the top really well, but will also likely remove the scratch cover. After drying for an hour or so, take your best fingernail, and press it into the finish along an edge some where and see if the finish feels soft, and again in the most worn part of the finish. If the finish won't resist your fingernail, or feels gummy and/or soft, then it need to come off. I'm assuming this table is stained darker than the normal light straw color of Rubberwood, so this will be the next issue if you want to try saving the existing finish...post back and I'll try to help further- Greg


I'm a little unsure as to why you would give me an 8 for "helpfulness", and yet nominate me as Vol. of the month...but in any event, it sounds like your tables finish is degraded to a point that it would not be wise to try to coat over it ....it will just make it worse if the underlying finish is soft or compromised...while you stated you're "not willing" to go as far as I am suggesting, when a finish is damaged with raised areas, missing color, and other signs of failure, there really are very few choices if you really want to fix it, and I'm really here to give you the correct answer when possible.... I'm not sure how I could have been more helpful, but I would take any critique you might want to give out........regards- Greg