We have a solid light oak wood end table where the rubber pads on the bottom of the clock radio have left many gray marks which we can't seem to remove. They appear to be imbedded; not on the surface.

We have tried - soap and water, clorox bleach and even soft scrub.
Any ideas what to use?

My first thought is that you would have been better off to ask this question before trying bleach or soft scrub. The rubber actually is embedded as you describe. Try scrubbing with the grain with a very short bristle brush lightly dampened with paint thinner.

I was told car polishing compound might work. Any thoughts?

Car polish compound is a very fine abrasive. You can try it but I'd test it in an area not easily seen. It will shine the surface and not get into the grain of the wood. I am afraid that whatever you do it will start to remove your finish and you may find it difficult to match the original look. Here's a thought, try a big rubber eraser.

If there is a finish on this item - i.e. lacquer, polyurethane, etc. and simple furniture polish applied with a cloth does not remove the marks, then I would try some 0000 steel wool with furniture polish or paint thinner and rub very lightly.

Another type of liquid product you might want to try that usually comes in small cans are those that remove things like dried paint or gum. I think that one of them is called "Goo Gone."

If you have no finish on your dresser, than you will probably need to use 150 to 240 grit abrasive paper. If there is a finish, then you can still use abrasive paper, but you will then need to touch it up. Use small can of stain the same color as the finish, lightly dab it on with a paper towel and let it dry. Lightly spay with a semi-gloss or gloss lacquer, depending on what shininess of finish you have. May need to then rub it out with 0000 steel wool and paste wax for furniture.

Another thing to try with no finish is a wood bleach. Not the same as household bleaches. Follow directions on the label.

Whatever you try is still going to ruin the top of the piece, if it isn't already, right? Why not send it out and have it refinished?

We stored my winter tires for one year on top of a teak table that we weren't using and the tire left a black rubber stain, including some print from the rim. I just tried using nail polish remover and a used scratch pad and it worked like a charm to remove the stain. The table will need to be slightly sanded and re-varnished.

Why anyone would store an old tire on top of a teak table is beyond me. I have solid teak tables and they get cleaned periodically with acetone (yes, nail polish) and then good teak cleaner.

This thread is from 2007. So you wasted your time. I was notified because I subscribed to it.

However, this person didn't have teak which is one of the most resilient woods available for boat decking, outdoor furniture and indoor.

Tick

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