You are here:

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Water damage to a birch table top

Advertisement

Expert: - 8/5/2009


Question
Hi there,

I have a gorgeous Heywood Wakefield dining table made of birch wood.  A couple of days ago, the vase we left on the table had a hair line crack and leaked water all over the surface. It think the water leak must have taken place over a course of a day and a half. Now there are dry, white patches on the table surface. Is there any way to repair it?  I have read elsewhere online that applying mayonnaise on the patches and leaving it sitting for a few hours will remove the marks, but haven't tried.  Can you help?

Thanks very much for your help!
Katherine

Answer
Hi Katherine
PLEASE don't put Mayonnaise on your furniture. The only thing that does is allow the wood to soak up oils, which will only be a temporary fix, and can interfere with proper repairs because of the oil soaked wood. White patches most likely mean the table is lacquered. If the finish is in tact, and not rough or textured, (meaning as smooth as the surrounding finish), then you might be able to try an anti blush agent. They're available in an aerosol can, and you spray it over the area and re-amalgamates the finish to let any tapped moisture out, and then re-cures the lacquer. I would only caution you that having experience with lacquer finish and these types of solvents is a good idea if you attempt this type of repair. You could also call in a Pro restorer to evaluate it with you. Hope that helps a little- Post back if you want to try the fix.

Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.