A spilt drink (G&T) has resulted in a white ring appearing on the top our oak table

I think what’s happened is the oil/wax that was on the table has been disolved by the liquid. I don’t think the wood itself is stained.

What can I do to fix it? The table probably needs oiling all over but I’m looking to preserve the matte finish. I’ve looked at Danish oil but this seems to give quite a glossy finish.

I believe the modern solution is to use that part of the table for your fancy new Apple Home Pod speaker.

http://metro.co.uk/2018/02/15/apple-homepod-leaves-nasty-white-ring-death-stain-owners-tables-7314706/

Failing that…….

https://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/how-to-remove-water-stains-from-wood/

wire wool + furniture wax?

A towell and a steam iron worked well when we left cup rings all over the furniture  at a holiday let. Basically iron the towel on top of the stain with a few squirts of steam.

The ring is caused by moisture being released from the wood and staining the lacquer from the underside. I use an iron/damp cloth to remove dents from untreated wood, not sure I’d be happy doing it to lacquered wood as it might just leave an iron-shaped mark as per explanation above. I suspect jamesoz just got (very) lucky!

Danish oil doesn’t really give a gloss finish. It can give a sheen I find if the excess is rubbed back vigorously. When it’s hardened, you can knock back the sheen with one of those green kitchen scourer mat things, without scratching.

I’d probably sand that all back a bit and then re oil it to try to even the colours a bit.

Rub a walnut on it. ( obviously one taken out of the shell )

European or African?

rub a walnut on it, true works well on oak…

Iron and towel will work, nice and slow. Draws the moisture out the wood.

So, the consensus is this is moisture under the finish

This is different to what I initially thought, i.e. alcohol dissolving the finish. But most if not all white rings I see other people have posted online are caused by moisture under the finish, so on balance this seems like the answer. It’s just that it was a particularly strong G&T….I will try the iron method

The wood is finished in a way to highlight the grain and it’s not a smooth finish. Sanding would flatten this.

If I’m successful in removing the ring with an iron, what oil finsish should I use to improve the moisture resistance?

seriously, try the walnut first, it works!

^ I reckon more people will have easy access to irons and tea towels than they do to walnuts.

Not helpful but furniture that can’t cope with everyday use (i.e a spill or two) can go to hell in my book.  Surely there are finishes that allow a nice look and provide a degree of protection?  If there’s not then sod it – i’ll stick with ikea.

There is a winner

I reckon more people will have easy access to irons and tea towels than they do to walnuts.

Well I often eat walnuts, several times a week but in my 52 years on earth I’ve never found use for an iron 🙂

Which method worked, dmorts?

The winner is

Walnut!

I tried both methods. The iron/cloth seemed to be drawing more oil out, so tried the walnut. It was like magic!

I’d go for Osmo top oil, gives a nice hard wearing surface but still let’s the grain show through and also keeps the texture. You can get it in a mat finish. Not sure if it likes being put on over other finishes though.

Thing is, do you respect wood OP?

Have some faith 🙂

It has worked many times for me over the years

Basically the oil from the walnut reinvigorates the affected area I imagine, so I expect applying Danish oil would have worked too had you not been tooled up in the walnut stakes.

IANAWRE – I am not a walnut rubbing expert.

Not helpful but furniture that can’t cope with everyday use (i.e a spill or two) can go to hell in my book.

Even moreso when it comes to kitchen worktops… what on earth is the point of a worktop that you can’t get wet? Bugger that for a lark.