Acetone on my saloon table!!! Varnish repair?

[Tim Good]

Really very annoying. A small drop of acetone got on my saloon table and the varnish has stripped and left bare wood. I’m fairly sure it is veneer but very well done. The varnish is bomb proof as it’s been excellent for 25 years now.

Is there a way to repair those without having to sand back the entire top?

 

[James_Calvert]

Clear nail varnish?

It'll come off with acetone again if need be.

First check with another dab of acetone if colour in the bare wood comes back whilst still damp.

If it doesn't you may be in for more work...

 

[Stemar]

Working on the basis that I'm probably going to end up stripping and re-varnishing anyway, so nothing to lose if it doesn't work, I'd get some Scratch Cover - the light wood one looks about right for that wood, and rub it across the area with fine wire wool, then polish with a dry cloth. If the light one does a bit, but not enough, try a mix of light and medium.

 

[Kilo]

Given the age & durability it's probably a cellulose based pre-cat lacquer. Fantastic results but bad for lungs & the environment.
I've never used acetone to thin cellulose & off the top of (v empty) head can't remember what was used - something with toluene (sp?) in I think. I mention thinners because acetone is used with pu lacquers, so it could be that.
You may have difficulty finding either but it's worth a try.
If it all goes wrong then yes sand it back & start again.

 

[PCUK]

Strip the rest with the same Acetone so it all matches, then re-varnish.

 

[Kilo]

Strip the rest with the same Acetone so it all matches, then re-varnish.

I'd probably try a repair first, you might get an acceptable result.

 

[ip485]

A little piece of Scotchbrite and gentle rubbing, and then some lacquer painted (not sprayed) on and a good cut back and it will be invisible! If you havent got Scotchbrite some very fine wet and dry will work as well.