How to fix sun damage on a wood table?

Author: Sabrina Erdman  |  Last update: Saturday, January 17, 2026

Set Up Your Workspace
  1. Clean the Furniture. Much like your workspace, you want the furniture to be clean before you get started. ...
  2. Strip the Wood. ...
  3. Inspect for Rough Spots. ...
  4. Select the Stain or Paint You Want and Apply It. ...
  5. Seal the Wood.

Can you reverse sun damage on furniture?

Sun bleaching fabrics is a permanent state, I'm afraid. You can either have them reupholstered or try one of the fabric paint tutorials out there. You'll want to follow either of those things up with a UV-protectant spray and find a storage solution that keeps them out of the sun while not in use.

How do you get sun damage out of wood?

METHOD:
  1. Charge some '0000' grade soft wire wool with our 'Antique Gold' beeswax polish.
  2. Apply it with the grain to the surface to be revived.
  3. Take off any excess wax, ensuring an even application.
  4. Leave to dry for 20 to 30 minutes.
  5. Using a cotton buffing cloth, buff to a shine.

Can you fix heat damage on wood table?

Heat damage is nearly impossible to repair. If the finish is lacquer or shellack, you can try padding the area with either lacquer thinner (lacquer finish) or denatured alcohol (shellack finish). You may have to do this a few times. Do not soak the area, just lightly pad it.

How do you get white haze off a wood table?

Simply wipe with thin cloth slightly dampened and crumpled up with a light vinegar and water solution. Can add a couple of drops olive oil also, I do, and then buff with a soft clean cloth till shiny.

Tim McClellan - How to Refinish and Touch-up the Sun-Damaged Kitchen Table

How do you get white heat marks off a wood table?

Simply take a bowl and mix vinegar and oil in it. Soak the clean cloth in the solution and apply it to the wood. As far as it is about using oil, you can use almost any kind of oil be it olive, vegetable, lemon, or mineral oil. Repeat the steps until the stain goes away.

How to fix cloudy varnish on a wood table?

To fix this, the surface needs to be scuffed and sanded first. Second, we recommend applying a sanding sealer to protect the top. Sanding sealer has a larger resin particle, so it will provide a better build for the next sanding step. Then finish with your topcoat.

How do you fix a sun damaged wood table?

Set Up Your Workspace
  1. Clean the Furniture. Much like your workspace, you want the furniture to be clean before you get started. ...
  2. Strip the Wood. ...
  3. Inspect for Rough Spots. ...
  4. Select the Stain or Paint You Want and Apply It. ...
  5. Seal the Wood.

How to fix white spots on a wood table?

"Mayonnaise works well to treat heat stains, or white stains on wood from fluid," says Poepping.
  1. Dip a microfiber cloth in a bit of mayonnaise.
  2. Dab the mayonnaise onto the stain, continuously wiping the spot clean as you work.
  3. For stubborn stains, let the mayonnaise sit for about two hours.

How do you restore weather damaged wood?

Sanding is often the first step in breathing new life into weathered wood. It removes the damaged outer layer, smooths out imperfections, and prepares the surface for treatment such as adding polish, lacquer, primer and paint. Pro Tip: Always sand in the direction of the wood grain.

How to restore sun bleached wood without sanding?

You can use a gel stain to restore the colour. Gel stains are great for antique furniture restoration. The best part is that you don't need to strip off the original old colour of your furniture. Gel stains can easily restore the faded and worn colour of wood furniture.

How to protect a wood table from sun damage?

Varnish: Ranging in finishes from matte to high-gloss, varnish can be thought of as a top coat that will protect wood furniture from UV damage. Lacquer: Lacquer is an easy-to-apply polish that can repair small scratches and scuff marks, and provide some defense against sun damage.

How to repair sun damaged wood veneer?

How To Rejuvenate Wood Veneer
  1. Step 1: Clean the veneer. ...
  2. Step 2: Remove attachments. ...
  3. Step 3: Strip the veneer. ...
  4. Step 4: Scrap off the finish. ...
  5. Step 5: Sand down the veneer. ...
  6. Step 6: Remove the dust. ...
  7. Step 7: Removing imperfections. ...
  8. Step 8: Stain the veneer.

Can sun damage be repaired?

While medical professionals cannot reverse the effects of sun damage entirely, there are treatments that can help with collagen production, skin turnover, improvements in the appearance of dark spots and more. These include: Topical treatments containing retinol. Chemical peels.

How to remove sun spots on wood?

Some minor spots, dents, and surface imperfections can be removed by light sanding, but deeper imperfections may need some other treatments. One way to remove most dark spots and discoloration of the wood surface is to bleach the wood.

How to fix wood table heat damage?

Apply Toothpaste and Baking Soda
  1. Make the paste—Cosco suggests using equal parts white non-gel toothpaste and baking soda.
  2. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes.
  3. Gently rub the paste into the wood and let it sit for a few more minutes, then wipe the surface clean with a dry cloth.

What is the white film on my wood table?

White stains.

Lightly-colored marks, typically in the shape of rings, are caused by the bottoms of cold glasses or hot plates and mugs resting on a wood surface. In both cases water is the culprit, in the form of condensed moisture (cold) or steam (hot).

How do you fix a discolored wood table?

The discoloration is caused by moisture, and it can sometimes be removed the same way white spots are removed. Buff the surface lightly and evenly with No. 0000 steel wool dipped in linseed oil. Work with the grain of the wood, rubbing evenly on the entire surface, until the white haze disappears.

How do you fix a light spot on a wood table?

In a bowl, combine one part toothpaste with two parts baking soda to create a thick paste. Apply some of the mixture to the white heat mark on your wood table and allow it to sit for a minute or two before wiping it from the surface. You may need to do this a few times in order for the stain to fully disappear.

Does beeswax really restore wood?

Beeswax wood polish is a natural, non-toxic alternative to harmful chemical polishes. It protects wood from damage and stains, while also providing a protective layer that keeps moisture away from the surface. Beeswax provides a beautiful, long-lasting finish that nourishes and preserves the wood.

How do you restore the surface of a wood table?

Steps
  1. 1Clean the table. Use a damp cloth to thoroughly clean the table surface and remove any dirt or grime. ...
  2. 2Sand the table. ...
  3. 3Brush the dust off. ...
  4. 4Continue sanding. ...
  5. 5Use a finer grit sandpaper. ...
  6. 6Wipe the table with turps. ...
  7. 7Apply the first coat of varnish. ...
  8. 8Lightly sand the table.

Are heat stains on wood permanent?

Some people assume that heat stains will clear up on their own, but the reality is quite the opposite. As is the case with many stains, heat stains are easiest to remove the quicker they're addressed. The longer you ignore those heat stains on your dining table, the less likely you'll be able to remove them.

How do I restore the shine to my wood table?

Try using a mixture of white vinegar and virgin olive oil. This natural polishing mixture is safe for your table and provides natural shine, thanks to the astringent quality of the vinegar.

Does vinegar destroy wood varnish?

Many wood surfaces are treated with finishes like varnish, lacquer, or sealants to enhance durability and appearance. Vinegar can strip away these finishes, leaving the wood vulnerable. This not only affects the wood's aesthetic but also its ability to resist moisture and other damaging elements.

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