How do I get a water mark off a piece of light oak furniture.

I checked many sites -- but decided to post this one

Removing Water Marks from Wood Furniture

You can try mayonaise.

I haven't seen what it is that you have to work on. So, I don't really know how bad the watermark is in relation to the finish. Nor, do I know what kind of finish it is that you are working with. It would be helpful to know those things in order to provide for you the best answers here.

But, the first thing that I usually try with watermarks on whatever kind of clear finish, if that is what you have, is #0000 steel wool lubricated with water or mineral spirits, rubbing very lightly in the direction of the grain. If the watermark is really deep, then you might have to sand lightly with a 240+ grit of abrasive (sand) paper. Whatever you do, you can wipe things off with a high-quality paper towel or clean, soft cloths.

In either case of using the steel wool and/or the abrasive paper, you may end up having to touch up the finish with a low-solids lacquer such as Deft, or a paste wax of some kind.

Again, it would be helpful to know what kind of finish it is that you have on the furniture, and how bad the watermark is, please.

Murphy's oil soap, I think that's what its called? Put it on let it sit for a while then work the spot with your fingers as not to scratch the wood, it worked for me on my grandmas old cedar chest, and the after its cleaned give it a good coating with lemon oil for wood to refurbish the woods finish. Have A Great Day!

If it's a black spot than oxalic acid or Zud cleanser (It's Oxalic acid) will work very nicely.

Putting table salt (kind we use in our saltshakers) on water stains helps , then wipe with dry cloth and polish...

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Originally Posted by bugzy2008

putting table salt (kind we use in our saltshakers) on water stains helps , then wipe with dry cloth and polish ...

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Do you mean putting dry table salt on the stains? How long do you wait before wiping with a dry cloth and then polishing? I have not heard of using ordinary table salt for water stains before this. But, I'm always glad to be learning something new!