Fixing damaged furniture finishes

Q: How can I get rid of a watermark on a teak dresser and some scratches on a pine dining table?

A: The answer to both your questions depends on the finish that's on the wood. Teak is usually finished with oil, protecting the wood lightly, but creating no surface film. Does this sound like your dresser? If it does, then the best way to get rid of watermarks is to start with some non-coloured wood finishing oil. Danish oil and teak oil are two you'll find readily. Rub the area lightly with a Scotch-Brite abrasive pad that's soaked with the oil. To create an even finish, you'll probably have to coat and rub the whole dresser with oil, too. After application, let the oil sit for 10 or 15 minutes, then wipe off all the excess with a dry clothe. It'll take a few days for the dresser to dry fully. Your pine dining table is probably protected with some kind of clear film-forming finish, and in this case scratches are more troublesome to repair. Your best bet is to get some stain that matches the colour of the table, then rub this into the area. Do some tests on scrap pine to make sure the colour is correct. Stain won't seal the scratch, but it will make it far less noticeable.