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This bag stained this table; see photos as I have no other way to describe it.

Update: Some Minwax paste finishing wax is getting out a much smaller spot, but to use it on this requires a lot of elbow grease. Using a plastic stick behind some paper towel for pressure and that is working, albiet slowly. Will Murphy's Oil Soap help? I don't want to add something new to the mix in case it sets the stain.

Someone on an online forum elsewhere for someone else's similar problem suggested a paste of mayonnaise and cigarette ashes, but I don't smoke.

Update 2: I spoke with a local furniture restoration company and showed them this post. The lovely lady on the phone explained that Rooms to Go usually uses a spray on finish that starts with an f; their recommendation was to

  1. proceed cautiously
  2. tape over one grain direction
  3. get a 4-zero steel wool
  4. unfold it to a cloth shape.
  5. take the properly colored minwax and rub it extremely gently in the direction of the grain. If it fails to fade, apply slightly more pressure.

Of note, the actual solution suggested was slightly more complicated than I'm typing. This seems like my last resort, so I'll keep trying with the paper towels for now. I am curious if a Magic Eraser is the same consistency as the 4-zero steel wool, but knowing how it eradicates polish off a car, I am not going to start using one.

Update 3: I continued to use the paper towel + MinWax, but based on the prior advice, I am wiping with the grain, and it feels as though the stain is fading faster than it was when wiping in random directions. I see this is a tad more complex due to the two grain directions, but I will persist and will update on noticeable changes. I will be purchasing the 4-0 steel wool on my next outing.

THE BAG, DAMN YOU collectorsnet.com

The stain (originally):

the original stain

The (upside-down shot of the) stain (post-minwax + elbow grease):

stain post-work

Progress after applying more Minwax and rubbing today; doesn't look like much progress, but maybe that's the lighting.

elbow grease again

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What is the finish on the table? – Freya Mar 2 at 6:23
I do not know; table was purchased at Rooms to Go, if that helps. How might I determine the type of finish? – JoshDM Mar 2 at 6:29
1  
ashes are a fine powder that my grandfather swore by for polishing wood and getting marks out. There's nothing magic about tobacco ashes - any kind you can get hold of might work as a gentle abrasive. They were recommended because they were easy to get. – Kate Gregory Mar 2 at 14:22
Maybe I'll go the ashes and mayo route, then. – JoshDM Mar 2 at 14:43
Of note, it is a cherry wood with a clear cherry finish. – JoshDM Mar 10 at 4:41

1 Answer

up vote 3 down vote accepted

Per earlier, I used MinWax for a while till it faded, then I took 1 part mayonnaise (Hellman's) and 1 part baking soda (not baking powder; I used Arm & Hammer brand) instead of cigarette ashes, mixed it together and rubbed it along the grain directions using a paper towel and some pressure. The stain faded then vanished, and the wood is smooth and considering the baking soda is abrasive, came out unscratched. After wiping off the mayo mix, my table smells like a turkey sandwich, but it's beautiful again.

Now I have to work off all the Minwax buildup from my earlier cleanup.

I would not have thought of going with the grain had I not spoken to the lady from Restore and Adore, and had the baking soda idea fell through, I would have gone with the 4 0 steel wool and applied a lot of wax.

Pic of the repair:

repaired table

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1  
As an aside, I did let Collectorsnet.com know by e-mail what one of their bags did, but they didn't respond. – JoshDM Mar 6 at 16:12

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