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Hiding Light Scratches
One of the best way's I have found is using a padding lacquer. It really works well on household woodwork as well as furniture when you get a light colored scratch in the finish. You will need a soft cloth. Fold the corners until you can make a tight ball out of the center. Apply the padding lacquer to the pad and tap it into the palm of your hand. (Gloves come in handy here). This will spread it through the pad. Lightly pad in the direction of the grain like it is an airplane coming in for a landing then taking off again. Don't over pad or come to a stopped landing. Let it dry for a couple minute's and reapply if needed until the scratch is melted back in. Usually one swipe is all it takes. This will leave a high gloss finish if you keep padding, so you may have to pad the whole surface to make it all look the same.
Another way of removing light scratches is rubbing them out with polishing compounds. These are best used on high gloss sheens.
If your table has a satin or dull sheen, grab a pad of OOOO Steel wool and some lemon oil or wool lube . Put some on the pad and rub the spot moving in the direction of the grain. This only works on minor scratches, and you may need to rub the rest of the surface so the sheen is even. Make sure you go with the grain in long even strokes from one end to the other. To finish the task, simply wipe off the remaining oil and apply your favorite polish.
If you need to add color to the scratch, Touch up markers and fill sticks come in real handy.
Getting rid of that waxy build-up
When most people think they have a wax build up, most likely the culprit is a softened finish. Oil from your skin, food oils, and some detergents can break down a finish making it sticky, which in turn collects dirt and grime. If the problem lies on an area that is frequently touched. To clean it, try using mineral spirits or naphtha as your cleaning agent. Using a soft rag or #0000 steel wool, this is good for getting rid of a waxy build up. A word of caution though, if your finish has softened all the way through to the wood, this process could leave you with bare wood. If your finish has gotten that bad to start with, there isn't anything else you can do to reverse it other than stripping and refinishing anyway.
Click on the links below for more tips
From Curio Cabinet to Pie Safe
Tips for Decorating Your Living Room
Decorating the Fireplace Mantle
Staining Wood Furniture
Cleaning Upholstery
Should I Touch up or Refinish?
