Duh.....so who's had experience getting rid of water stains from an oak shelf or furniture? Nephew left a damp towel on the shelf (not mine) and it stained. I'm thinking low heat, but have no experience doing this.
What kind of finish is on the shelf? White vinegar can take out stains from wood - but check the finish reaction first in an inconspicuous spot. Dampen a paper towel with vinegar and lay it on the stain for 5 minutes or so. Check for progress and repeat as necessary.
Thanks bogieb . My brother thinks it's a poly finish, but to him, anything that looks like poly must be poly. He and the problem are about 4 hours south of me, so I'm not likely to go check it out. I suggested heat and a little sanding (if needed) with a new coat or two of finish. My other suggestion was to call Mike from Holmes on Homes, but he'd prolly demo the whole house to fix it.
