Expert: Greg Scholl - 4/12/2010

Question
QUESTION: I was applying a stain remover product called Carbona to tablecloth stains while the tablecloth was still on the table. When taking off the tablecloth within a few minutes, I noticed that there were several "oily, shiny" looking areas where the product was applied. Some areas look like the finish was taken off. It is hard to tell. You can't tell where the spots are, unless you bend down at a certain angle but I know they are there.  This is a new table with a stain and finish. What can I do to fix this?

ANSWER: Carbona seems to have many different cleaners/stain removers....which one is this??

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QUESTION: This is Carbona Stain Wizard-prewash stain remover.  The shiny areas remain.  There is no difference in the "feel" of the table over these spots, and there is no peeling like the finish is taken off.  I did try Lemon Oil which seemed to help blend in the spots slightly but they are still there.
Any ideas?  Thanks so much.

ANSWER: Lemon oil is really mostly white mineral oil, and since I'm having trouble locating an MSDS on that product, I'll have to guess about what's going on. It appears to be an enzymatic solution, so it might be suspended in a wax like vehicle to stay where applied as a pre-treating agent.Take some mineral spirits on a clean rag and wipe the area with circular strokes and immediately dry with another clean rag...t-shirt or flannel works great for this- and see if that removes it....

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QUESTION: I think you might be right about the wax like vehicle b/c I did notice like a waxy substance once when trying to wipe the area when it first happened.
When I try the mineral spirits, do I have to be careful not to get it on the part of the table that is okay?  Once you tell me that, I will try it....thanks

Answer
If the table is a finished (meaning lacquer,varnish, shellac etc.) table...and not an Antique that might have a just a wax finish, then you can't hurt the finish...in fact you may want to wipe down and hand dry the whole top,( maybe even do it twice...) then apply a spray polish like Guardsmen, Old English, etc...just make sure it has NO Silicones and no wax......it will say so on the label...you want an oil polish.I always try to use white rags for this type of cleaning, because you can clearly see what is coming off (or not), of the table.When you apply the polish make sure to evenly coat the whole surface and then immediately wipe the whole surface down and keep wiping until it's all off...all of these products can build up, and it's imperative to wipe them off really completely..Greg

This is the one I like- and a pump bottle with no CFC's....

http://www.amazon.com/Valspar-306200-Guardsman-Furniture-Polish/dp/B000BZYCUI/re