Real or Imitation?

Not sure if you're buying solid hardwood or a cheap imitation? A check point is the glue joints. Just put your finger on the glue joint and trace it along the top of the surface, over the edge, and to the underside. If the line disappears its probably an imitation. Solid hardwood joints on the other hand can be traced across the top, the side and the underside.

Care of Solid Wood Tables

If cared for properly, your solid hardwood table can give you a lifetime of service and beauty.

Here are several care tips that will enhance your solid hardwood table investment:

Routine Cleaning and Care

DUST CAREFULLY with a soft cloth, following the grain pattern of the wood. Use an old T-shirt baby or cheesecloth that has been laundered to remove the sizing.

DUST OFTEN to remove everyday abrasive particles from wood surfaces.

CONSIDER CLEANING with a mild non-alkaline soap and water. Use the suds in a damp sponge or cloth, but be sure to pre-test the solution on an out-of sight section to make sure it doesn't damage the finish. Dry immediately with soft cloth and bluff lightly, following the grain.

DON'T WAX or use any polish that contains any silicones! Catalyzed heat and moisture resistant finishes don't need additional polish, but if you want to use polish we recommend Guardsman Furniture Polish.

Table First Aid

Here are some common problems and ways for you to correct them. With all these solutions try a small area first to assure that the remedy doesn't damage the finish.

Water Marks, Rings

Rings are often in the wax not the finish. Cover the stain with the clean, thick blotter, press down with warm iron, and repeat. Or try rubbing with salad oil, mayonnaise, or white toothpaste. Then wipe dry.

White Marks

Rub with cloth dipped in a mixture of cigarette ashes and lemon juice or salad oil. Or rub with a cloth dipped in lighter fluid, followed by a mixture of rottenstone and salad oil. Wipe dry.

Milk or Alcohol

Rub in a paste of boiled linseed oil and rottenstone with the grain, substituting pumice for dull finishes. Or rub with ammonia on a dampened cloth. Then wipe dry.

Cigarette Burns

Minor burns can be remedied by rubbing with scratch-concealing polish or with a paste of linseed oil and rottenstone, working with the grain until the burn mark disappears.

Heat Marks

Rub gently along the grain using a dry steel wool soap pad, extra-fine (0000) steel wool, or a cloth damped with camphorated oil or mineral spirits.

Nail Polish

Blot the spill immediately, then rub with fine steel wool (0) dipped in Guardsman Furniture Polish. Wipe dry.

Paint Marks

If fresh, remove latex paint with water and oil-based paint with mineral spirits. If dry, soak spot in boiled linseed oil, wait until paint softens, then lift carefully with a putty knife or wipe with cloth dampened with boiled linseed oil. Residue can be removed by rubbing along the grain with a paste of boiled linseed oil and rottenstone. Wipe dry.

Sticking Paper

ampen the paper thoroughly with salad oil, wait five minutes and rub along the grain with extra-fine (0000) steel wool. Wipe dry.

Wax or Gum

Harden the substance by holding an ice cube wrapped in cloth against it. Pry off with a fingernail. Rub the area with extra-fine (0000) steel wool dipped in mineral spirits. Wipe dry.