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The main causes of surface damage are: Liquids of all sorts, excessive heat and scratches and bruises. Unless there is a mat providing softening under a heavy object or vase never slide it; it will scratch. If the mat is absorbent it may trap spilt water under a vase. A damp seal - polyurethane perhaps - needs to be put between the mat and the wooden surface. Spilt water and water based liquids should be wiped off to prevent them spreading and the surface rubbed dry. Spirits and other solvents must be dabbed off to prevent them spreading and should not be rubbed dry, lest they have softened the surface finish which could then be deformed/marked. A common and very defacing bruise is caused by drawing with a pencil or writing with a ballpoint pen on paper with no softening between it and the wooden surface. Removing any bruises from polished wood, without removing the surface is seldom possible and any process carries considerable risk of damaging the patina and changing the surface colour. Not only will the direct sun's rays overheat furniture, they will cause severe bleaching of the wood and make the polish cloudy. Drawing the curtains until the sun has passed is the simple remedy. It may be argued that the opaque polish, caused by the water soaking into the top, or by too much local heat, and the scratches and bruises are part of the history of the object. Realistically these are elements of history that are generally best forgotten, even if the experience of their occurrence is a valuable lesson. In each of these accidents it is best not to compound the problem with trial and error remedies, but seek help from a convenient BAFRA Member. These then are the prime causes of deterioration of furniture and with them, a few suggestions which may help to retard the inevitable aging process. | 
