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Fixing moldy spot in small area of antique table

2004

I had company stay at our house and they ---obviously placed a wet glass on an antique table and covered it with an ornament of a larger size. I had medical appointments out of town and so for the next ten days did not become aware of the problem. I now have a doily which is ruined but my anger is for my 70 year table which now has black moldy stains on it. PLEASE is there anyway we can remove these stains and re finish it?

Katherine D.
household - Trail B.C., British Columbia, Canada

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2004

Hi there,

I thought I'd respond to the unfortunate accident to your antique tabletop by a (mindless) guest. I would recommend that you take a very old, soft 100% cotton t-shirt and begin to gently rub in circles around the whitish areas which have "blushed". Sometimes this is all it takes to remove the white ring. Try this for several minutes. If this hasn't helped, purchase a can of "Howard's Restore-A-Finish" from your local hardware supplier. Howards has ingredients that are intended to gently emulsify the stain on woods and redistribute/redeposit it over the surface. I know that sounds harsh, but it's basically fool-proof. Your not going to end up with more damage - really. If that fails (which it shouldn't) on a severely damaged ring, then you're next option is to have the top refinished, unfortunately.

Good luck with this. I hope it turns out well and the chowder-head isn't invited back.

N. Dean
- San Jose, California