Damaged Finish

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allenswann

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I have an Ethan Allen reproduction table that has what is supposed to be water damage.  I have been told it is just soap and water but that can not be verified.  It has white, almost gray, damage to the finish.  The finish does not react to alcohol or laquer thinner, so I don't know what it is.  I have tried alcohol, Liberon Ring Remover, Briwax and heat (210 degrees on my heat gun), all to no avail, zero effect. 

The damage is not the usual cloud type of damage.  Much of it looks like dotted lines about 1/32nd to 1/16th inch wide.  And by the way, the table top is veneered.  I am looking for a miracle worker who can tell me I really don't have to scrape and refinish.  Thanks
 
Hi Allen ...      I'm not sure I can help out without asking a few questions first about the white spot on the table. Where on the table is it located? Does it have any impressions in the finish where the spot is? How old is the table and has it been refinished before?  Possibly a conversion varnish.  Maybe a spot from a lace doilie reaction.                                                                               
                                                               
 
The table is only a few years old.  A pan of "soap and water" was left on it and leaked.  It was left overnight.  The part that does not seem to make sense is that there was a sheet of glass covering the table, yet the damage is in the center of the leaf, not at the outer edges.  There are no depressions.  The marks are down the center of the leaf.  There is one small area near the edge where it actually lifted off the top layer of finish.  Based on this and looking at it through a 10x loupe, I think the liquid penetrated the finish and separated the top layer from the lower layers.  It may be a water based finish or it may be a lacquer.  I say this because small pieces that lifted are white, without the amber cast that an oil based finish would have. 

Near the edge of the leaf the water actually rippled the veneer a bit.  I plan to try to re-tack that as part of the repair.

Thanks
Al
 
Allen,
It sounds like the water from the leaky pan ran under the glass and got trapped between the glass and the top. I believe that is capillary action. You said the table is an Ethan Allen reproduction so my guess is catalyzed lacquer, sorry, it will have to come off.
Mike
 
Allen, 
          It sounds like the finish is ruined in that area, hopefully it didn't penetrate the veneer also. One thing you might try that has worked for me in the past in some instances. Instead of purchasing more repair products, Make up a polishing ball, mix up a 75% lacquer thinner with 25% acrylic modified lacquer, apply to the ball and try it lightly to the area. see what the reaction is. If the spot starts to vanish you can add come more lacquer to the liquid. If its a clear finish and doesnt have any toners added it might work.  Good luck.
                                    Mike Armand
 
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