How to Repair a Bowed Table Top

Turn the table upside down and examine the bottom. The bottom of the table should lack any paint or stain, which leaves the wood exposed. Fill a spray bottle with water and lightly mist the bottom of the table, letting the wood absorb the moisture.

Remove the legs from the table. Depending on the hardware, you need either a wrench or a screwdriver. A screwdriver removes any small screws, while a wrench removes bolts the attach the legs to the tabletop.

Measure the flat area on the bottom of the table. The table might feature an overhang or wood pieces that surround the edges. Only measure the flat area at the center of the table. Turn the tabletop back over and measure the size. Purchase two pieces of plywood the same size as the tabletop and bottom.

Lay down a piece of plywood the same size as the tabletop. Set the table upside down on the plywood, so that the top sits against the plywood. Spray the bottom of the table with more water and cover with the smaller piece of plywood.

Affix clamps to the table around the top, which holds the plywood firmly against the tabletop. Cover the smaller board with heavy objects, such as books or concrete blocks. Every day, remove the heavy objects and clamps and check the wood. If the bow remains, add more moisture, clamp the wood and increase the weight. The force of the heavy objects slowly pushes down on the bowed area, changing the shape. The flat plywood and the clamps force the table back into its original flat shape.