Help me remove a water ring from my parents' antique chinese rosewood table!

February 25, 2007 3:18 AM

Help me remove a water ring from my parents' antique chinese rosewood table!

We had a few guests over and a couple of them put their wet cups/glasses on the table leaving water rings. I checked online and here on MeFi and found some answers but nothing conclusive as what I should definitely do. previously on mefi....

The table looks something like this.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

posted by PWA_BadBoy to home & garden (8 comments total)

I have had some success using rubbing alcohol on a cloth and just rubbing it over the surface. Apparently, the rapid evaporation of the alcohol will bring the water trapped under the varnish to the surface. It worked on my antique dressing table. Good luck!
posted by alltomorrowsparties at 3:37 AM on February 25, 2007

This site offers some help for removing water marks from antique furniture.

"This first method is the easiest and less likely to damage the finish. Apply any type of lubricant oily substance (petroleum jelly, furniture wax, liquid furniture polish etc.) and then let it sit at least 8 hours. If the water ring was not too pronounced, the water (moisture) under the finish will have been replaced by the lubricant you applied."

I've had luck with a lubricant and any sort of very mild abrasive. Good luck.
posted by faineant at 3:41 AM on February 25, 2007

If it's French polished, don't using rubbing alcohol; you'll destroy the finish.
posted by flabdablet at 5:52 AM on February 25, 2007

My mom always swore by using mayonnaise and letting it sit for a while, then rubbing it off.
posted by Addlepated at 9:56 AM on February 25, 2007

I had success in removing a white ring caused by water on my oak coffee table. I soaked a rag in lemon oil, laid it over the ring, weighted it, and left it for a day or so. This removed much of the stain. I used a vinyl eraser to rub off the remaining stain.
posted by partner at 10:43 AM on February 25, 2007

2nd mayo. It works.
posted by jtfowl0 at 11:19 AM on February 25, 2007

The old timers used to use olive oil and cigarette ashes. Whatever you do, I'd try to find an inconspicuous spot to experiment on, maybe the inside of a chair leg or something. If you're lucky, you might find a finished spot that doesn't show underneath something.
posted by unrepentanthippie at 12:09 PM on February 25, 2007

The old timers used to use olive oil and cigarette ashes.

Yep. My parents did this long ago when someone left a water stain on our (borrowed) piano. Worked like a charm.
posted by torticat at 1:45 PM on February 25, 2007