Expert: Eileen Cronk - 5/12/2007

Question
I am a woodworker and am trying to refinish a table for a customer. They had  used a spray furniture polish on the table top and then set something down on the top. There was a reaction which left a mark. The finish bubbled up. I have sanded the top until it is smooth and am now attempting to spray with Minwax high gloss polyurethane. I had a reaction where the finish bubbles up. I have years of experience with wood and spraying and have never had a problem like this. I have to get this back to the customer and don't know where to turn to find an answer as to what to do. I hope that you can help. Thanks so much.

Answer
Hi Dave
Nice to hear from you.
Oh my gosh. What a problem
Heres my thoughts (probably yours too).
If the finish bubbled, it did not stick..stands to reason.
Why did the finish not stick? Something prevented it.
What prevented it? Probably residue from the furniture polish.
Solution..strip the top, wash with mineral spirits, refinish. No other solution as far as I can see.
Hope this helps
Regards
Eileen