What do I do to fix this?

[no_hypocrisy]

After our mother died, Dad had run of the house and this is the result.

I just removed a blue Steuben glass box from the dining room table. There is a notable residue of blue on the wood. I can't get it off.

I tried the discreet fingernail scraping. Didn't work.
I tried the damp warm water on a soft cloth. Nothing.

I was warned not to use polish as this would integrate the blue into the wood. Frankly, I think we're there already.

I don't want an otherwise good dining room table to be ruined.

H E L P ! ! !

Thanks as always.

[intheflow]

1. Sometimes a tablecloth is the only answer.

Unless you want to sand it all the way down and restain it. That might work, too.

[flamin lib]

2. Google oxylic acid. It bleaches a number of stains including India ink.

You may be in for refinishing the whole piece so don't blame me if it works too well or not at all.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. I have never tried anything on stains on wood,

but I did find several options on Wiki-how. The most important tip is to try anything you plan to use on a place where it cannot be seen, like the underside of the table if it is finished like the top. I would be afraid to try some of these, but if the table is ruined, it is better than getting rid of it. (Another thing if all else fails is to buy a lovely tablecloth. )

I chose these ones because of how hard these stains are to remove, as well as having found these same techniques on other sites for other stains.

http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Ink-Stains-from-Wood-Furniture

http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Permanent-Marker-from-Furniture

Good luck. And let us know if anything works for you. It is always good to hear how things work.

[pscot]

4. Very fine steel wool, 000 or 0000

rubbed with the grain. Then buff it out with some varnish on a soft rag.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. Thanks. I'll try a couple of your ideas and get back to you which one worked better.

I really appreciate your help.

Happy Thanksgiving in advance.

[LiberalEsto]

6. Make a paste of olive oil and baking soda

and rub it in gently with a soft cloth or good-quality paper towel.

This method is also good for grunge on wood kitchen cabinet doors.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. I *cannot* thank you *enough* ! ! ! !

It worked beautifully.

No scratching. Got it all removed.

I used some Liquid Gold on the entire surface of the table just to be sure.

You helped me save a table ! ! ! ! !

[LiberalEsto]

8. I am so glad it worked!

I just learned about this method a month or two ago and used it successfully on a couple of kitchen cabinet doors as well as a china cabinet with white water rings.

Note to everyone:

A paste of baking soda and any kind of cooking oil is also GREAT for removing stuck-on price tags.

Happy Thanksgiving!