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annasttasiaaa

Folks I ruined my Kargess table, pls help!

annasttasiaaa
9 years ago

I am beating myself up for my stupid mistake and here is what has happened.

Lunch party, pumpkin center piece on the dining table. 5 days trip and forgot to remove the pumpkin. Came back to find the pumpkin decomposition left a stain on my table. Panicked and tried to clean it off with wet sponge and soap. Now there is this faded round circle on the center of my table. Wiped it with cotton cloth and polish it...no use it. the shine has gone and there is this ugly round stain left there......Folks, please help, is there anything I could do to fix this?:((((((

Comments (11)

  • annasttasiaaa
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Kudzu, thanks for your quick reply! The problem is I dont know where to find someone who would actually know how to deal with Karges finish. I remember the guy who I purchased this table from warned me that it would be hard to fix Karges finish when damaged. Can wood's finish really get damaged as simple and quick as this? Oh, Gosh! it looks dull and cloudy:((

  • kudzu9
    9 years ago

    Anastasia-
    I doubt that the Karges finish is unlike any other, but it would take a specialist to both assess damage and figure out what type of finish was actually used, and what it would take to restore it. There are plenty of furniture repair specialists around, but they might be harder to find if you live in a small town. It could be as simple as wiping on a lacquer consolidator, to stripping and refinishing the top, or anywhere in between. Is the wood darkened or is just the finish on top that's messed up?

  • annasttasiaaa
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    It is a walnut table similar to the one in the pic. The wood does not seem darkened. It is dull and cloudy. Has lost the luster but only noticeable from a certain angle or light direction. Will be looking for a antique restoration service?! Will also contact Karges!

  • Toronado3800 Zone 6 St Louis
    9 years ago

    Neat table. How long have you had yours and besides the pumpkin it sounds like it was holding up well to use?

    Dull and cloudy makes me optimistic that only the clear coat is damaged. It will take someone better than I to repair it.

    I be be curious to see a damaged and repaired picture if you get the chance. Cell phone quality is fine anymore.

  • JAAune
    9 years ago

    With a table like that you'll definitely want to contact a specialist.

    If Karges said the finish would be very difficult to repair, they probably used a conversion varnish or 2-part urethane finish. Both are very tough but are usually difficult to repair.

    If you want the best, try contacting Mitch Kohanek over at the Professional Refinisher's Group. Even if he's not close enough to help you I'm sure he'll know the right person for you to contact.

  • JAAune
    9 years ago

    Good news. I looked up the Karges website and found they use nitrocellulose lacquer. That explains why the pumpkin damaged it so easily (acids and other content in food can be very destructive). That type of finish does not have much chemical resistance but it is one of the easiest to repair.

    You'll still want a skilled person doing the work since it's an expensive table but it should be perfectly repairable.

    This post was edited by JAAune on Sun, Oct 26, 14 at 15:24

  • kudzu9
    9 years ago

    If it is lacquer and the damage is not too deep, then the consolidator solvent that I mentioned above might work. I have semi-gloss, lacquered wooden cabinetry throughout my house, and one of the door fronts in a bathroom was getting white and hazy. Wiping on a bit of consolidator with a rag "remelted" the finish and made the damage disappear, and there was no difference in the gloss level once it was done drying several seconds later. However, this product is very hard to obtain if you are not in the industry, and you really need to have a professional look at your table first anyway. Good luck, and please report back when this gets fixed.

  • annasttasiaaa
    Original Author
    9 years ago

    Thank you guys! You are awesome! Still waiting to hear from Karges. Maybe i should call them! JJAUNE, thank you for the name of the specialist, would contact him.

    It may take some time before I get to know who can fix this but will post back as soon as I get it done!

  • jeff-1010
    9 years ago

    it's possible some of clear shine will come back after a wk or two. moisture has worked into the finish, that's what caused the milkiness. if the dull area is milky (white, no other color in the finish) then maybe a spray can of NO BLUSH might help. ask kudzu9 what he thinks of the idea.

  • bobismyuncle
    9 years ago

    If it's just cloudy, try this first.

    I suggest that you don't try much more than this. Call in a pro or you can end up doing more damage than good.

    Spoiled pumpkins can be very bad. I've seen them eat through a finish and leave a stain in the wood that required stripping, bleaching, and refinishing.

    Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Homax-Furniture-White-Ring-Remover-Cloth-2236/202698033