Lemon oil, which is simply mineral oil with a splash of color and fragrance, and Restor-a-finish will at best provide temporary relief.

Buffing them out with an abrasive compound might work, if they are not too deep. But this will likely change the sheen, if you don't mind. You could also start out with a P400 or finer sandpaper and work your way through finer grits.

Unless you go really crazy, you are not likely to ruin it, but you may get yourself in a place that you can't get yourself out of.

Here is a link that might be useful: rubbing out finishes

Try old english furniture oil in dark.....I use it all of the time to cover scratches in furniture....You will be amazed at how the scratches will disappear with a dab of the dark oil.....

Thank you for your responses, guys! Bobsmyuncle, that link is fantastic. It's a bit nervous making for sure, the very notion of taking anything that even remotely resembles sand paper to the wood. But i suppose that's what a "professional" would do.

I'll have to ruminate. May try that old english first ... ;)

Thanks again!

estreya.....i just looked at my bottle of old english and on the front label it states that it is scratch cover for dark wood......anyway...hope it works...

another link by the same author.

I have "revived" a few dining tables that were showing age by simply a thorough cleaning(as described in the link), a light scuff sanding, and a couple of coats of brushing lacquer (Deft or Watco). If the existing finish is lacquer (most factory finishes are), it bonds fine.

Here is a link that might be useful: Saving the finish

Old English Scratch Cover works quite well on some tables I have tried to touch up. It is the dark coffee furniture oil. (They also make a yellow lemon oil. ) Sometimes the wood will not absorb the coloring, and other times it will. The hardware store also sells "markers" to touch up scratches. Buy the trio kit and plan to touch it up a few times to get the tone you want.