chipped finish on dining room table

[Charlie]

i just bought a used mahogany dining table . . . perfect except for a chipped spot about the size of a quarter on the top. It's just the finish that chipped off - the wood itself is intact, and the rest of the table is fine. any hints on how to fix this, short of refinishing the whole top?

thanks

[Mike G]

My preferred method would be to tape off the area, over fill the chip with consecutive layers of deft spray can lacquer, then rub out to match the rest of the top.

Another option would be build a dam around the chip with something like clay, fill the dam with a finish of your choice, rub out to match the rest of the top.

Note - if you choose to use a varnish to fill the chip in the above method, do it by adding thin layers. You'll die of old age before a thick layer of varnish cures enough to work with.

Further note - Both of the above ignores the possibility that a dye, stain, toner has been used to color the wood. You may have to do some experimenting with toners if that is the case.

[Mike G]

My preferred method would be to tape off the area, over fill the chip with consecutive layers of deft spray can lacquer, then rub out to match the rest of the top.

Another option would be build a dam around the chip with something like clay, fill the dam with a finish of your choice, rub out to match the rest of the top.

Note - if you choose to use a varnish to fill the chip in the above method, do it by adding thin layers. You'll die of old age before a thick layer of varnish cures enough to work with.

Further note - Both of the above ignores the possibility that a dye, stain, toner has been used to color the wood. You may have to do some experimenting with toners if that is the case.