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QUESTION: I have a high end, hand-painted, white washed pine dining room table by Pulaski. I took the table extension out and placed it face down on the tapestry upholstered chairs. Unfortunately, I left the piece that way for several weeks. When I went to put the extension back into the table, the wood is "freckled" with the dye from the fabric. Not sure if I need to have the entire table stripped and redone, or if there is some product that will lift the marks. Fortunately, on this piece there is no hand-painting.
ANSWER: HI Annette, strange that it would transfer like that from an upholstery fabric. You might be able to polish them out with a polishing compound like 3M's "Finesse it II" which is available at a good auto parts store. I wouldn't use solvent based cleaners on the finish as this might permanently damage the finish or make the marks harder to remove. Post back if need be- regards- Greg
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QUESTION: That didn't work. Do I need to rub it for a long time? Any other suggestions? I appreciate your help
Yes you need to really polish it(VERB), which takes a lot of "elbow grease". Make a pad about 3"x3" from a piece of folded t-shirt material about 4-6 layers thick. Lightly wet it and squeeze it out so you have a semi damp pad. Then shake the Finesse it, and apply a few quarter sized drops in an area about the size of a sheet of paper. Starting right on one of the drops, polish in long overlapping strokes with moderate pressure, (this should be a good workout, with raised heart rate, sweat, etc.), until the pad starts to drag, then move over 4-6 inches, still overlapping the previously polished area, and continue working across the area. then polish off with a dry cloth. If none of the color is coming off on the pad, then you're likely to not be able to fix this, and it will need the services of a Pro Restorer.
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Answers by Expert:
Greg Scholl
Expertise
Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.
Experience
Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.
Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")
Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.
Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.
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