Repairing Ring Stains on a Lacquer Finish

Wipe any remaining moisture off the lacquer finish with a soft, cotton cloth. If the water ring is fresh, set a hair dryer on cool or its lowest heat setting. Hold the hair dryer 10 to 12 inches away from the water stain and wave the hair dryer over the water ring until the air dries trapped moisture in the lacquer finish.

Dip a soft rag into petroleum jelly and rub it into the stain, following the direction of the water ring. Allow the petroleum jelly to remain on the water stain overnight. Wipe the petroleum jelly off the surface with a clean, soft rag and buff the surface to a shine.

Pour 1/2 teaspoon mineral oil into a small bowl. Dip #0000 steel wool into the mineral oil. Lightly rub the water ring with the steel wool, following the direction of the wood grain. Wipe excess mineral oil off the surface with a soft cotton cloth. Sprinkle cornstarch over the mineral oil residue and let it sit for three to five minutes. Wipe away the cornstarch and buff the lacquer to a shine.

Dunk a soft cloth into isopropyl alcohol and rub the water stain until it is no longer visible. Spray furniture polish onto a clean cotton rag and wipe the alcohol residue off the lacquer.

Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a small bowl. Wet a corner of a rag into the olive oil and then into cigar or cigarette ashes. Rub the ashes into the water ring, following the wood grain until the water ring disappears. Wipe the lacquered surface with a soft cloth. Spray furniture polish onto a clean rag and wipe the finish to remove ash and oil residue.

Mix 1 teaspoon of powdered rottenstone with enough mineral oil to form a creamy paste. Dip the corner of a cloth into the paste. Rub the rottenstone paste into the water ring while following the wood grain until you remove the water ring. Wipe away oil and rottenstone residue with a soft cloth. Spray a clean cloth with furniture polish and wipe the lacquer finish.

Squeeze a pea-size amount of white toothpaste onto the lacquer finish. Rub the white toothpaste into the water stain with a soft cloth until the water stain is no longer visible. Wipe the toothpaste residue off the lacquer with a damp rag and dry it with a clean cloth.