I built a Cherry kitchen table for my daughter’s wedding gift. It turned out quite well but I made a mistake that I am having a hard time fixing. One of the holes I drilled on the bottom oof the table top came through the top. This happened after I had finished the piece (I finished it with Watco oil). I filled the hole and sanded it down and of course the spot became lighter than the surrounding area. I soaked the spot with Watco a number of times an assured my daughter that with time the spot would disappear. Well, 1 1/2 years latter the spot is better but still very present.
I have tried coloring the oil with Universal colors and lightly sanding it in but it just wipes off and also now the spot is more dull than the rest. I can match the color pretty good with Universal colors but I don’t know how to fix it to the wood.
Any advice would be greatly appraciated.
Thanks,
Redoy
Replies
You didn't say what you filled it with, which is the critical question as far as matching it to the wood. How about drilling it out and putting a small tapered plug of cherry in?
DR
I filled the hole with epoxy and it is fine as it just looks like a small knot. The problem is the area around it where I have been sanding. The area is approx. 2"x2".
Thanks for your interest.
There may be some finishing magicians out there who could get the match perfect, but I'm not one of them. If you want to be over this irksome little issue once and for all, I'm afraid you're going to have to face up to what you may have suspected all along - the payback for drilling through the top is to sand it all down evenly and refinish the whole top. In the long run it may be no more work than that endless fiddling with the matching. Once we get over the indignation it raises, I've found sanding and refnishing to be a fruitful time to reflect on the nature of our mistakes and how we relate to them.
I don't wish to sound like I'm lecturing; I really identify with the situation. Start sanding...
DR
You'r right, this type of expreience serves to keep one humble. I think I'll take your advice and refinish the whole top. You'r also correct that the time spent in refinishing won't be that bad especially with the finish being oil. Well, I've got my project for the Memorial Day weekend.
Thanks for your help.
Redoy
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