How to remove accidental paint from cherry wood coffee table?

I did a simple touch up spot on the ceiling and didn't realize a sprinkle of paint fell on the coffee table. Well I thought nail polish would remove and it kinda did, but now I have ashy smears. I dont' if it's still paint or the effect of the nail polish on the wood. I used Pledge furniture polsih and it didn't help. How can I correct this?How to remove accidental paint from cherry wood coffee table?
Well, now you've done it! Most house paint will not adhere to polished and wax surfaces, so you could have just used a plastic putty knife to ';pop'; off the drops. What you have done with the nail polish remover is damage the film finish. You will need to determine what type of finish is on the table. First use denatured alcohol to remove all wax from the surface. If the alcohol starts to remove the finish, then your table most likely has a shellac finish. Shellac is dissolved by alcohol. If the alcohol doesn't effect the finish then it is either lacquer or varnish. The reason to determine what is on the table is so that you can match the finish when making the repair. Most any finish will go over shellac, but lacquer and varnish do not play well together. If you are not up to the task of refinishing the table then seek professional help.



Just had a thought, after removing the existing wax with alcohol, you can use a paste wax like Briwax on the table. This will most likely hide the blemish.



Good luck.How to remove accidental paint from cherry wood coffee table?
Big problem and valuable lesson, and the solution depends on the finish of the table. Ouch! - You already goofed, big time, when you used something as strong as nail polish remover on your table.



The paint was probably water base, like latex, and would have come off with warm water and patience, and exercise care not to do water damage to the table. Whatever you use to remove the paint, if it will also remove the finish of the table, you will have to refinish the table. Pledge is valueless for this problem, as are other polishes.



At this point, the best advice is to have more experienced eyes look at the actual table before you do additional damage.
Yup, the first two are correct! I repair furniture, and I get calls all the time when someone spills nail polish remover on the table. A minor situation gone worse! Get someone who can professionally touch it up before the whole top needs to be refinished. A hard lesson learned. Good luck!