Refinishing question

DVerbarg · Apr 10, 2002

Ok, this is really of the topic but not real fun. Tonight my 9 year old daughter had a cotton blanket on a wood coffee table and was using fingernail polish remover. Unbeknownst to her remover was dripped on the blanket. At bed time she picked the blanket up and "rrriiip", we now have a coffee table with an area about 9"x9" that is is glossy in parts and cotton embedded in others. She is devastated that her favorite blanket is ripped and that the new table (a couple months old) is damaged. When we tucked her into bed she had an envelope for us with her piggy bank savings, $127, that she wanted us to have to repair the table. (Do we have a "crying" or "tear" face? Sad just doesn't quite express it.)

Do any of you know of good ways to take care of this? Any good websites to search? The finish is a matte type finish, not glossy, except it is glossy where the remover wetted the finish.

The table is a solid wood table from Kincaid.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Harv · Apr 10, 2002

<font color=blue>Do we have a "crying" or "tear" face?</font color=blue>

I also have a 9-year old daughter who undoubtedly would have reacted the same way. What a tear jerker.

I'm guessing you handled the situation as tactfully and tenderly as you could, but they sure can rip at your heart strings, can't they?

I know something of wood finishing, but I ain't no magician. If someone can come up with a way other than stripping the surface and refinishing it, I'm all ears.

MarkV · Apr 10, 2002

Dave,
It is real hard to match the factory finishes that are used today. With a piece that new I believe I would take it to a refinisher. Unless you have the equipment to spray fine finishes it will be real hard to match the existing. You might also contact the manufacture to see what the original finish is. Some are easier than others to repair.

MarkV

tgello · Apr 10, 2002

dave, you need to see if the mess is down through the clear coat. if not you probably could sand the edges back(feather them back) and reclear it. you would probably use poly clear or water based clear depending on whats on there now.the water based clear won't lift the old finish. don't use laquer unless your sure the old finish is the same or it will lift it like stripper. if you don't feel comfortable doing it, bring it to a furniture refinish shop and get a price to justify cost of repair versus new table.....tgello

EdDekker · Apr 13, 2002

Dave,

Was the table purchased with a credit card? If so it may be covered by a purchase protection plan. These plans are automatic insurance to cover loss or damage in the first weeks/months you have a purchase.

My American Express card and Gold Mastercard cover items for 90 days. With the table 'a couple months' old it may still be covered.

From the Amrican Express web site (http://home3.americanexpress.com/corp/consumerinfo/unleash.asp#safeguard):

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Safeguard Your Valuables with Free Replacement on Stolen or Damaged Items

Picture this: you have just purchased a camera and placed it on the kitchen counter with the carrying strap dangling toward the floor. Along comes your 3-year-old, who spies the camera strap, and gives it a yank. The camera hurtles down to the tile floor, breaking the lens housing. What can you do now?

Expensive items such as cameras, videocassette recorders and computers are breakable, but even clothing, furniture and other everyday items can be accidentally damaged. But consumers can breathe a little easier because some credit card companies offer purchase protection plans. These plans typically cover accidental damage and theft for a certain amount of time from the date of purchase. Protection is usually limited to a specific amount per occurrence, in excess of other insurance you may have.
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DVerbarg · Apr 13, 2002

Hadn't thought of that, have to check this out.

Thanks!

Inspector507 · Apr 14, 2002

Dave,
I once purchased a beautiful China cabinet for my Mothers birthday. I paid for it with a card that had purchase protection. Upon unloading it from the truck, I sat it upright in the driveway so I could open the garage door. Just as I was raising the door, the china cabinet fell face first on the asphalt. Needless to say, doors splintered, glass shattered, trim pieces damaged. I contacted the card company, they sent a claim form. I took numerous pictures and sent them in with the form and an estimate of repairs from a furniture restoring company. I got a voucher for a new cabinet in time for Mom's birthday. The only 'bad' thing was, they wanted the old cabinet returned to them, which I talked them out of. I still have the old one awaiting repairs to turn it into a gun cabinet.