Scratch on antique table

[yellowcuda]

Ok so Jonathan and I had an antique 1800's table that has been in his family 3 generations passed down to us two weeks ago.  It is walnut and gorgeous.  It has some blemishes on the sides where it is showing some wear and is a little creaky when it moves but in fairly good shape.  Problem is that Jonathan LOVES this table and I have been terrified to even use it.  Today the dog I am housesitting chased my cat who jumped onto the table...cat has very furry feet so he slid, to catch himself he put out his nail, which didn't help, he slid off the table anyway.  This left two sets of three scratches...two of them pretty deep.  The scratches (thank God) are on the leaf that goes in the table not the table itself.  What I am wondering is if anyone has ever had a table refinished or restored.  I know this table was refinished about 25 years ago, but could use an entire resto. to re-inforce it and fix the scratches that we just put it.  I was also wondering if they sold made to fit glass tops for tables I could buy so that I wouldn't worry if one of the kids put a glass on it or a coke can.
Worst part is Jonathan is out of town and doesn't know yet and I have to tell him tonight.  Anyone have anything good they can tell me?

[Todd Wilson]

Well since its already been refinished years ago I suppose a refinish now is ok.  Most people like old tables like that unfinished with the character that comes with them. Refinishing old antiques like that sometimes drops the value also.


You arent gonna make the scratches disappear but you can get some Old English scratch remover and dab a little bit of that in the spot and it will help. You can get that stuff at the store by the dusting stuff.  I got the big family oak table and chair set from my mom a few years back and use this stuff to touch up some wear spots every once in a while. It does a good job but wont make it vanish completely. You have to put some more of this on it every month or so. Just put a little on a paper towel and dab it in the location you want.


As for the creaky stuff most hardware stores or wood places sell a wood glue that looks like a plastic deal of Elmers skool glue but it has a needle that hooks on and you can slide the needle into a crack at a joint and fill the joint with glue and it will expand and dry and usually lock up a loose wood joint. I have used it on some old wood chairs that my great great grandma had that I now have and it holds up prety good especially with the twisting and flexing a chair goes through.


Todd

[greenpigs]

Well since its already been refinished years ago I suppose a refinish now is ok.  Most people like old tables like that unfinished with the character that comes with them. Refinishing old antiques like that sometimes drops the value also.

  From what I have seen on collector shows and read, once the original finish is changed\restored the value is a fraction of what is was. I hope it has more sentimental value than the money its worth to him. As far as fixing the scratches it depends on the finish. I would do like Todd suggested as anything more than that would need a complete re-refinish.
  The less you modify the table the better off you are.

[yellowcuda]

This is a family heirloom and something that we will pass down to children/grandchildren or other family so money is not really issue.  His Dad died and this was the table his Dad grew up with so it means a lot to him.  The scratch is pretty deep, you can feel it as well as see it.  I thought since it was on the leaf that I could just have them re-do the leaf.

[ChargerAndy]

It's hard to say without seeing it. I made my dining room table out of walnut and finished it with tung oil. When it gets scratched tung oil is what I wipe it with. I have no idea what you have.... if it is shellac or laquer then what I am about to describe would be a big mistake! If it is a deep scratch a wipe with oil won't remove it. A scratch in wood is either a "dent" or, hopefully not an actual cut in the wood fibers. If you are trying to raise a "dent scratch" back to the surface you might be able to Steam it using a cloth and a steam iron or a damp cloth and dry iron....being very careful of course. a 5 second shot of steam is all I would start with. If the scratched or depressed wood comes back to the surface you could lightly steel wool and re- oil. Again, I don't know what you have and unless you do, I would not risk further damage in a repair attempt. Since it is a leaf I would bring it to a specialist.... antique refinisher, wood stripper, antique shop specializing in that era furniture. Im not suggesting you refinish it, but they should know what to do, short of that, the old english scratch remover is probably a safe bet to at least get the color back. Good luck! Andy