Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/refinishing tabletop

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Expert: - 8/28/2009


Question
I really made a horrible blunder.  I was stripping the finish off my mom's table to refiinish it, and stupidly used course sand paper on some stubborn spots.  Now I have the sandpaper bllotches on one side of the table and I am at a loss for how to fix this blunder.

Answer
Hi Janice
Nice to hear from you.
So sorry this has happened.
I imagine by blotches you mean the table is a different color where you sanded.
Sounds like you removed the color that was left in the wood after you stripped the finish off.
Without seeing the table I can only hope it was not a dye stain you removed.
First finish stripping the top.
Then get a small can of Minwax oil stain in a color that is close to the table top color.
Try that on the blotched areas.
I will keep my fingers crossed that this easy fix will work on your table.
If not we move to plan B
Keep me posted
Regards
Eileen

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Eileen Cronk

Expertise

Hi..I can answer most questions about the repairing,stripping and refinishing of all your old furniture and wood items(the things we call antiques)I can give advice about what to buy/avoid at auctions/flea markets. I do not give appraisals on antiques.

Experience

I have been refinishing antiques for the past 30yrs. While I have taken several courses over the years,I have found that "hands on" learning is the best teacher. Perhaps I can help you avoid some of the mistakes I made while learning.

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