How to repair water damaged table top

Table of Contents Show

Can you repair water damage on a wood table?
How do you revive water
Can you sand down water
How do you resurface a damaged table top?

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Work miracles on wood with oxalic acid.

Watering a potted plant can be disastrous if the plant lives on top of something made out of wood. We’ve all seen the white spots and black rings that can result when water seeps through the pot. And if you’ve ever tried to sand out these marks, you know it’s a tough job that can leave telltale depressions on the surface.

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We know you try to treat your furniture well, but scratches from dropped car keys, rings from water glasses, and other damage is often just part of life. But good news: There's often an easy way to get your favorite wooden pieces looking great again.

1. Undo water damage.
On a wood table, water spills, wet glasses or vases, and hot dishes can leave behind unsightly white marks and rings when the moisture seeps into the finish. Fortunately, unless you've had a spill linger on the surface for a long time, this damage can be repaired quickly. Start by placing a clean, thick towel on top of the stain. With your iron on a dry low-to-medium setting, press over the towel (making sure the soleplate doesn't touch the wood) for several seconds. The gentle heat will warm the finish enough to release the moisture into the towel. Lift the towel to check the results. Repeat as needed until the stain disappears. Polish and buff as usual.

2. Fix nicks and scratches.
When keys are tossed or a fork is dropped on finished wood, the marks left behind are especially obvious if the stain gets scraped off. The solution to help conceal these scratches is nuts. No, really: Fresh walnuts or Brazil nuts have natural oils that help darken the wood to hide scratches. Crack the nut open, then rub the meat over the scratch in the direction of the grain of the wood. Buff with a clean, soft cloth. Repeat until the area blends in with the rest of the finish as much as possible.

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3. Halt hairspray damage.
Even when finely misted, the alcohol in perfume and hairspray can dissolve wood finishes. Suppress your cleanup instincts and let the droplets dry. Then dampen a cloth with water and dip it into a bit of ammonia. Lightly go over the stains to remove sticky residue. Wipe dry. To smooth the finish, visit a home store and pick up some boiled linseed oil and powdered rottenstone, a mild abrasive (they'll know what it is, we promise). Mix the two into a thin paste and apply with your fingertip, gently working into the stains in the direction of the grain; wipe clean with a cloth. Apply a few coats of furniture polish; buff well. Note: Spots where the finish is totally destroyed may require restoration.

Bonus: How to avoid further damage in the future.
Place trays or trivets on the coffee table to hold drink glasses. Because they're bigger than coasters, people are more likely to use them. Also consider Guardsman's Water Ring Remover Cloth ($5; guardsman.com). It rubs out water — and even perfume — stains. And keep scratch-cover marking pens handy.

More Cleaning Tips:
• 7 Tricks That Make Laundry Day Way Easier
• 10 Surprising Things You Can Put in the Dishwasher
• 10 Reasons Hanging Storage Is the Best

Photo: Tamara Staples/Getty

Carolyn FortéHome Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director

Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.

Can you repair water damage on a wood table?

Can you fix water damaged wood? Yes, fixing water-damaged wood is possible. The extent of the wood's damage will determine how you fix it. Some simple ways to treat water-damaged wood include drying it, using an iron, using a needle or printer, sanding, and finishing and flattening the wood.

How do you revive water

How to Repair Water Damaged Wood in 7 Simple Steps.

Step 1: Remove rotting wood. Wood rots quickly when it gets damp and the water is allowed to seep in. ... .

Step 2: Use auto filler putty. ... .

Step 3: Fill the hole. ... .

Step 4: Repeat steps 2 and 3. ... .

Step 5: Sand to a smooth finish. ... .

Step 6: Prime and paint. ... .

Step 7: Maintain your wood..

Can you sand down water

Using a sander with 220-grit sandpaper, sand the furniture in the direction of the grain. Remember to sand the water-damaged areas first. Continue sanding the remainder of the furniture to make an even layer. Remove the wood dust using a clean paintbrush.