So that you don't run into this problem again, I'll explain how it happens.
When I say that the cups were warm, I mean warmer than the table and not necessarily warm to the touch. This temperature difference will be increased if you have an air conditioner running. Toweling dry will not remove all of the moisture especially in the porous portion of foot of the cup. Now, when the cup is placed on the table, a small amount of air is trapped in space between the concave bottom of the cup and the flat surface of the table. This results in the creation of a mini atmosphere. Since the table is somewhat cooler, the trapped moisture will condense on it much like morning dew. It doesn't take much moisture, a fraction of a drop, to cause the white marks. Shellac finishes, therefore almost all antique furniture, are the most vulnerable to water damage. Lacquer finishes produce a similar, although less profound, result. Varnish finishes, including urethane, are impervious to water.
White water damage can be reversed with the application of Wood Elixir. Lacquer finishes, being tougher, might require more than one treatment.
You mentioned in a previous email that the refinishing experts you contacted, weren't aware of Wood Elixir. This is understandable since Wood Elixir is not sold in the US. But, if they were aware of it would they tell you? If everyone used Wood Elixir, many refinishers would be out of business.
I hope this explanation is helpful.
Dr Woodwell--Previous Message--
: Dr. Woodwell,
: The bone china cups were not warm at all- in
: fact, I didn't even think they were WET!!!
: I took them straight from a cupboard and
: rinsed them off and towel dried them- then
: set them on the rosewood table. Since the
: water was cold, will Elixir still work on
: the water mark? Thank you so much!
: Jacqui
: --Previous Message--
: : And the cups were probably warm as well.
: The marks you describe are typical of a
: shellac finish and are easily solved with
: Wood Elixir.
: The refinishers you spoke to do not know
: about Wood Elixir because it is not sold
: in the USA.
: --Previous Message--
: I was remodeling my kitchen and had put a
: couple bone china coffee cups on my
: rosewood dining room table. I guess they
: were still a little damp (I had rinsed
: them off and towel dried them). I just
: moved them (they've been there a couple
: days) and there are 2 horrendous WHITE
: rings. One is just a ring- the other is a
: ring and has white in the ring as well. I
: tried the toothpaste/baking soda remedy
: but to no avail. Should I just succumb to
: having it refinished or is there truly
: something that will work? Thanks.
: : :
:
----- Original Message -----
From: Jacqui Van Meter
To: Murray Westbrook
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2001 7:22 AM
Subject: Re: water marks
Dr. Woodwell,
The cups were not warm at all- in fact, I didn't even think they were WET!!! I took them straight from a cupboard and rinsed them off and towel dried them- then set them on the rosewood table. Since the water was cold, will Elixir still work on the water mark? Thank you so much!
Jacqui
----- Original Message -----
From: Murray Westbrook
To: Jacqui Van Meter
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001 11:51 PM
Subject: Re: water marks
And the cups were probably warm as well.
The marks you describe are typical of a shellac finish and are easily solved with Wood Elixir.
The refinishers you spoke to do not know about Wood Elixir because it is not sold in the USA.
Dr Woodwell
___________________________________________________________
--Previous Message--
: I was remodeling my kitchen and had put a
: couple bone china coffee cups on my
: rosewood dining room table. I guess they
: were still a little damp (I had rinsed
: them off and towel dried them). I just
: moved them (they've been there a couple
: days) and there are 2 horrendous WHITE
: rings. One is just a ring- the other is a
: ring and has white in the ring as well. I
: tried the toothpaste/baking soda remedy
: but to no avail. Should I just succumb to
: having it refinished or is there truly
: something that will work? Thanks.
:
----- Original Message -----
From: Jacqui Van Meter
To: info@drwoodwell.com
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2001 11:19 PM
Subject: water marks
Hello
I posted a message on the discussion board last night, but can't get into that part of the website this evening. I desperately need to know if Dr. Woodwell thinks the Elixir would work on 2 watermarks (recent) on a Rosewood Dining room table. It hasn't faded a bit since trying the home remedy of baking soda/toothpaste. I need to get this resolved and called many refinishers today. No one mentioned the Elixir and it almost seems to good to be true. What can you tell me? thank you so much
Jacqui Van meterSo that you don't run into this problem again, I'll explain how it happens. When I say that the cups were warm, I mean warmmer than the table and not necessarily warm to the touch. This temperature difference will be increased if you have an air conditioner running. Toweling dry will not remove all of the moisture especially in the porous portion of foot of the cup. Now, when the cup is placed on the table, a small amount of air is trapped in space between the concave bottom of the cup and the flat surface of the table. This results in the creation of a mini atmosphere. Since the table is somewhat cooler, the trapped moisture will condense on it much like morning dew. It doesn't take much moisture, a fraction of a drop, to cause the white marks. Shellac finishes, therefore almost all antique furniture, are the most vulnerable to water damage. Lacquer finishes produce a similar, although less profound, result. Varnish finishes, including urethane, are impervious to water.
--Previous Message--
: Dr. Woodwell,
: The bone china cups were not warm at all- in
: fact, I didn't even think they were WET!!!
: I took them straight from a cupboard and
: rinsed them off and towel dried them- then
: set them on the rosewood table. Since the
: water was cold, will Elixir still work on
: the water mark? Thank you so much!
: Jacqui
: --Previous Message--
: : And the cups were probably warm as well.
: The marks you describe are typical of a
: shellac finish and are easily solved with
: Wood Elixir.
: The refinishers you spoke to do not know
: about Wood Elixir because it is not sold
: in the USA.
: --Previous Message--
: I was remodeling my kitchen and had put a
: couple bone china coffee cups on my
: rosewood dining room table. I guess they
: were still a little damp (I had rinsed
: them off and towel dried them). I just
: moved them (they've been there a couple
: days) and there are 2 horrendous WHITE
: rings. One is just a ring- the other is a
: ring and has white in the ring as well. I
: tried the toothpaste/baking soda remedy
: but to no avail. Should I just succumb to
: having it refinished or is there truly
: something that will work? Thanks.
: : :
:
