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Protect Wood Finishes

Plasticizers in plastic or synthetic rubber can stain and damage wood finishes, including polyurethane, varnish and lacquer.

By the experts at The Family Handyman

From The Family Handyman

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Have you ever lifted a knickknack off a shelf and noticed footprints left in the shelf ’s finish? Plastics contain chemicals that keep them soft and flexible. These “plasticizers” can leach out of plastic and into wood finishes. The result is usually a faint, hazy stain in the finish, but you could also find indentations and soft spots in the finish. Just about any type of plastic or synthetic rubber can damage just about any type of wood finish (including polyurethane, lacquer and the high-tech finishes applied by furniture manufacturers). Staining can even develop overnight, although it often takes weeks.

Prevention is simple: Avoid contact between plastics and wood finishes. Stick adhesive-backed felt pads to appliances, knickknacks and anything else that sits on a wood surface. Don’t leave vinyl tablecloths or placemats on tables for long periods. Don’t leave books lying on furniture (book covers often have plastic coating). Use cloth—not rubber—furniture pads on wood floors.

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Repair can be difficult and refinishing is often the only solution. But if you notice a stain before the plasticizer penetrates deeply, you may be able to rub it out. Dip No. 0000 steel wool into mineral spirits and rub gently, parallel to the wood grain. The mineral spirits acts as a lubricant while the steel wool slowly removes the finish. Rub for a few seconds, wipe off the mineral spirits and then rub more if necessary. Be careful not to rub completely through the finish. The spot where you rub may become more or less glossy than the surrounding finish. To restore a uniform sheen, apply furniture wax or polish to the entire surface according to the manufacturer’s directions. If you think your piece of furniture might be old or valuable (or both), leave repairs to an expert (under “Antiques, Repair & Restore” in the phone book).

From The Family Handyman - November 2005

• Home Repair
• • Wood Furniture

• Clean and Renew Fine Wood Finishes
• Make wood furniture look new again with mineral spirits and rubbed-on paste wax.
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• How to Remove Stains In Wood Furniture
• Use mineral spirits or denatured alcohol to remove rings and stains in furniture finishes.
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• Stain Wood Evenly Without Getting Blotches and Dark Spots
• Get a better, more even finish on open grain woods like pine, cherry, birch and maple by sealing the wood first with a conditioner before applying stain.
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