Unsightly rings from a misplaced glass or a neglected spill that has had time to set in can leave the nicest pieces of wood furniture looking worn out and dingy, but don’t trash that coffee table or curb that credenza just yet. They can be saved!
Let’s take a look at some simple DIY steps that can salvage your water-stained wood.
What Exactly Does Water Do To Wood?
Water can stain wood, cause it to swell, or — in extreme cases — lead to rot and mold. Wood furniture is typically protected with a finish, but it is not impenetrable. Water can still seep through the finish and cause damage.
Identifying Water Stains
The shade of the stain indicates the level of damage. Light stains on wood are relatively easy to repair as the damage is on the surface. Dark stains, however, mean that the water has seeped through the wood finish and has directly damaged the wood.
How to Remove Water Stains from Wood
The good news is — in most cases — water stains can be removed, but how? Well, just follow a few easy steps.
Make Sure the Wood is Dry
Strip the Finish
Stripping the finish is an easy way to get rid of those pesky water marks. Just apply the varnish stripper to the stain, and once the finish softens, use a scraping implement to remove the affected area.
Sand the Affected Area
After all of the residue from stripping the finish has been removed, sand and smooth the affected area with either a belt sander or sandpaper. This will even out the wood and prep the previously damaged section for furniture oil, paint, or varnish. You can also make a gentle abrasive by mixing a few drops of vegetable oil with cigarette ash. This will create a paste that is not quite as harsh on the wood surface as sandpaper.
Apply Furniture Stain or Paint
If you want to maintain the original, natural wood color, you can easily match the tone with an oil-based wood stain from any big box home goods store. For smaller damaged areas it may be more efficient to use a stain marker.
Paint is also an excellent option to give any wood furniture a fresh look. If it was painted before repair, just match the color, or use the opportunity to go with a totally new look.
DIY or Seek Professional Help
If your damaged furniture is a prized piece or precious heirloom — or if you are just not completely confident in your DIY furniture repair capabilities — you may want to seek help from a professional restoration company. The experienced restoration technicians at 24 Hour Flood Pros can easily restore your favorite piece of furniture to its former glory!
