What is the best way to re-finish/stain a cherry wood coffee table?

It is a round cherry wood coffee table from Ethan Allen from probably the 70s but is a beautiful piece. It has white marks on the top of it from putting hot drinks/plates on it. How do I get these marks off, or re-stain the table? Thanks.What is the best way to re-finish/stain a cherry wood coffee table?
Ethan Allen - my house is full of 1970s Ethan Allen. It is about the best furniture made.



The table is laquered and laquer can be reconstituted, as can shellac. You might try to get all of the wax and pledge off it by using mineral spirits. It all has to be off. If the top is in otherwise good condition, you might can spray some clear laquer thinner on it with a small amount of retardant. The white spots are water spots most likely. If that does not make them disappear, and the damage is purely on the top, mask off the table from teh top down using that aluminum tape and vinyl drop cloth material and strip the top using a paste stripper. You will need to duplicate the color. I have bought Ethan Allen's stains directly from them, but they might send you a spray can and you don't want that. Their stains are made, or were made by, Mohawk and if you get in touch with them, they might can sell you something like the original. This is not fun, you have to have good color vision to make sure that two colors match, then once you have that repaired, spray a coat of sealer on it, lightly sand that, and then put on about 6-10 coats of laquer (sprayed) and either polish it out or if it is satin sheen, work it to where you want it with 0000 steel wool. I do this all the time.What is the best way to re-finish/stain a cherry wood coffee table?
There are different types of surface conditioners available at your local hardware store. However your problem may require refinishing table to help.

You need to sand down past the stain which may prove difficult itself depending on the condition of the surface to begin with.

If you don't sand past the stain and you re-stain table it will show up even more do to the stain.

Quickest solution would be to place a accentuating table cloth over marks.
If you are serious about refinishing it, I will forwarn you that it takes time and elbow grease. First, use sand paper to remove the clear finish,either a varnish or most likely due to the water/heat marks, a lauqer finish, Then to ';cheat'; a little, apply a sanding sealer, sand smooth{since it is a parifin sealer, it is quite easy to sand} and then apply your new finish. If you get to heavy handed during the first sanding and get into the original stain, then you will have to strip it completely and restain,sand, revarnish. Good luck, and how about using coasters after you get it redone?
First, try a product called restor-a-finish. It worked well for me. I bought it in woodcrafters in North Carolina.



If this doesn't work, lightly sand entire surface, so that the wood absorbs evenly. If you sand just the spot, it won't look good. Find a cherry stain(good luck) that will match. From my experience you will have to test several colors. You might find a color that will work, but does not have ';cheery'; in its name. I might suggest a wiping stain, as you have more time to test/play to achieve the right color. Make sure you use a stain only, by itself; not, a combination of stain and urethane.
To remove the water marks place some mayonnaise on the spots and cover for about 15-20 min. Then wipe it off. Put some wipe on poly urethane or past wax on it after to protect it. If you do have to sand it down use a fine grit paper like 100. Then go finer like 150-220. Cherry darkens with age and is often left un stained. You can leave it in the sun outside for a couple of days and it will start the darkening. Then just poly the top and your done.