How to Repair Wood Finishes

White Rings or Cloudy Spots

• 1

  Dust the wood surface with a feather duster or a soft cleaning rag.

• 2

  Place a small amount of white -- not gel -- toothpaste onto a soft, lint-free cleaning cloth.

• 3

  Rub the toothpaste into the wood surface. Use movements that go with the grain of wood. Continue rubbing until the spot disappears.

• 4

  Wipe off any remaining residue with a clean section of the cloth.

• 5

  Wax the surface of the wood. Another idea is to mix 2 parts sweet oil with 1 part apple cider vinegar in a clean, plastic spray bottle. Shake well and spray it onto the surface of the wood. Polish as usual with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Refinishing the Wood

• 6

  Dip some steel wool or a paintbrush into paint thinner or turpentine. Spread it over the wood finish. Work quickly before the solvent evaporates.

• 7

  Rub or brush the solvent onto all the wood surfaces to dissolve the finish. Make sure all defects are gone.

• 8

  Smooth the surface of the wood by using long, light strokes. Rub or brush with the grain of the wood.

• 9

  Buff the surface with 0000 steel wool once it is dry. Do this over the entire surface. This smooths out any rough spots or edges on the wood.

• 10

  Use a paste wax on your wood furniture, following the directions on the package. The wood finish will shine like new.