cup rings on coffee table...how best to remove.

Eurorunner · 04-07-2006 07:57PM #1

I want to remove the 'cup rings' on this coffee table . What can I do to get rid of these?

DublinWriter · 04-07-2006 09:00PM

From..."HELPFUL HINTS FOR THE YOUNG HOUSEKEEPER" (I kid you not!):

"To remove old Tea and Coffee Stains, wet spot with cold water, cover with glycerine, and let stand two or three hours. Then wash with cold water and hard soap. Repeat if necessary."

However, that looks like maple. I'm not sure it would take kindly to glycerine.

Plus, you might get a few funny looks from your chemist if you ask for glycerine, especially if you ask for nitrogen as well!

crosstownk · 04-07-2006 09:24PM

Is the table glass, wood, plastic, metal..........etc?

byte · 04-07-2006 10:00PM

I have a similar problem, except from somebody who stayed and put a bag of chips on the table. Now there is a white mark what seems to look like steam got trapped under the wax/polish. It's a mahogany table.

Was going to start a different thread, but the same fix might suit both problems.

The Hill Billy · 05-07-2006 07:31AM

Rub cigarette ash in, leave for an hour & then wipe off with a damp cloth.

kadman · 05-07-2006 08:15AM

Hill Billy wrote:

Rub cigarette ash in, leave for an hour & then wipe off with a damp cloth.

Well welll well, Hill Billly,

I am impressed, do these pearls of wisdom emanate from a career of french polishing then.

Not too many would be aware of such a treatment, I think you had better let them know if this cure is suitable for all types of finishes.

Impressive;)

kadman

Alun · 05-07-2006 08:31AM

I'd guess it depends a bit on what the finish is. You can get stuff in DIY shops which claims to get rid of rings, and there are several "housewives remedies" as well, but I'm guessing (again!) that these would only work with old-fashioned finishes such as French Polish or older varnishes, if at all. Can't see them working with synthetic polyurethane finishes somehow.

The Hill Billy · 05-07-2006 10:02AM

kadman wrote:

Well welll well, Hill Billly,

I am impressed, do these pearls of wisdom emanate from a career of french polishing then.

Not too many would be aware of such a treatment, I think you had better let them know if this cure is suitable for all types of finishes.

Impressive;)

kadman

Thanks for your kind words kadman.

That was purely an amateur suggestion. (Papa Hill Billy does the odd spot of french polishing as a hobby.)

I wouldn't dare hazard a guess as to whether it would be suitable for specific finishes or not. I shall leave that to the experts such as your good self.

kadman · 05-07-2006 12:03PM

Hill Billy wrote:

Thanks for your kind words kadman.

That was purely an amateur suggestion. (Papa Hill Billy does the odd spot of french polishing as a hobby.)

I wouldn't dare hazard a guess as to whether it would be suitable for specific finishes or not. I shall leave that to the experts such as your good self.

I knew there was a french ( polish ) connection there somewhere. I do quite a lot of it myself.

Nice one , give Papa my regards for his FP expertise. No doubt he knows all about the old tips, polishes, mixing stains, oxalic acid ect. Good to know the info is still being handed down. You're in expert company there , hill billy.

Sorry for the rant...oopps ..no I'm not:D

kadman

No doubt Papa could fix it for a princely sum...

The Hill Billy · 05-07-2006 12:17PM

As a matter of fact - he only took it up in a serious way a couple of years ago. Has always been good with his hands & has picked up bits & bobs of craft lore over the years (e.g., the ciggy ash.) He did an adult education course on French Polishing the year before last to get proper training & away he went!

A few small jobs to start, but has recently stripped back & repolished a pretty fcuked mahogany dining room suite & sideboard (not for the faint hearted!) & has it is now in showroom condition!

Quite possibly a nice little earner for him in his impending retirement. Just goes to show that you're never too old to learn.

Eurorunner:
The cigarette ash method of ring removal is a very hazardous & high-specialised job. This should be left to be dealt with by professionals! For a suitcase full of cash I'll put you in touch with someone.

:D

kadman · 05-07-2006 03:10PM

Hill Billy wrote:

As a matter of fact - he only took it up in a serious way a couple of years ago. Has always been good with his hands & has picked up bits & bobs of craft lore over the years (e.g., the ciggy ash.) He did an adult education course on French Polishing the year before last to get proper training & away he went!

A few small jobs to start, but has recently stripped back & repolished a pretty fcuked mahogany dining room suite & sideboard (not for the faint hearted!) & has it is now in showroom condition!

Quite possibly a nice little earner for him in his impending retirement. Just goes to show that you're never too old to learn.

Eurorunner:
The cigarette ash method of ring removal is a very hazardous & high-specialised job. This should be left to be dealt with by professionals! For a suitcase full of cash I'll put you in touch with someone. :D

Your Pop has my full admiration for learning an extremely difficult craft coming up to retirement. Respect.

And long may he bask in the glory of mastering that craft, and of course.....the superfluous amounts of dosh he will get

kadman

Eurorunner · 05-07-2006 11:15PM

crosstownk wrote:

Is the table glass, wood, plastic, metal..........etc?

polyurethane finished wood with a glass insert in middle.

cup rings on coffee table...how best to remove.

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