Re: Help! I ruined my antique table.

Thank you Greg and James,

Greg, to answer the question of why I messed with it after it already looked "great" -- aside from being stupid, I did it because it really did not look perfect. It looked very good and I definitely should have left it alone, but it has marks in the finish that look like someone (before I owned the table) put clear varnish or something on top and then set something on it before it dried. These marks were not very noticeble until I put the lemon cleaner on which I applied in circular motion with oooo steel wool. Afterward, I applied the Restor-A-Finish - also in a circular motion. I guess I was trying to make the table top look perfect and followed the advice of a friend who did not know what he was talking about.

James, thank you for your tips. It was a bit over my head, but I think if I re-read it and break it down I will be able to follow your advice. Thank you for taking the time. May I ask you a question? If I caused this problem by using the lemon product, which broke the finish down and smeared it when I applied the product with steel wool in a circular motion - couldn't I just put more of the product on and apply it in a straight line going with the grain of the wood? Wouldn't this break the finish down again and possibly repair the smears?

Incidently, I just bought this table from an antique store. I have no idea what the finish is. I don't even know what the beautiful wood is. Oh, by the way, it is veneer. It is dark wood. If you stand above the table looking down, the wood looks gorgeous. If you stand to the side, you can see the horrible smears reflecting from the light. It is as if I need to "scrape" off the clear finish to get down to the wood which is really beautiful. If I could liquify the finish and just get it off.