The white spots are water damage from steam being forced into the
finish, most likely a lacquer. The easiest way to fix these is to quickly
and lightly wipe them with a rag dampened with alcohol or lacquer thinner.
It works best on warm dry days.
A piece fifty years old is not considered an antique. It is post WWII
mass production. It is possible that the particular piece might be
considered a collectible but you would have to ask someone who is a
collector of such pieces or someone who knows about the field. Given that
it is not an antique, it is up to you if you wish to restore or refinish the
piece. As long as the piece is well made and not so far gone that making it
usable is a major project, refinishing the top is certainly an option
assuming you have the skill. If the scarring is not severe, you might
consider spot refinishing. I am assuming that you wish to use the dining
set and not set it aside as a museum piece.

Good Luck.

To directly reply, remove both NGs.

"Mowgli" wrote in message
...
That caught your attention, no it's not an original.
It's a 50s? reproduction and it's very solid.
I'm posting a scan of the original newspaper ad to
alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking that the original owner graciously
clipped, saved and passed on to the second owner.
I'm the third owner (FREE from a craigslist ad!).
I'm going to refinish it and could use some advice.

It has white spots on the table and buffet from hot plates being set and
left on them grrrr. How can I fix that?

Is a 50 year old reproduction set considered antique?
Should I leave the wear & tear scars and use a stripper or sand past them?
Should I just use them as is and have a nice bonfire when I'm done with
them
because it's not worth ****?

Can anyone date them by looking at the ad?
Who knows what Wooddorking company was at 744 Washington Street in Boston
in
the late 40's/early 50s? It could be as late as the early 60s but I think
50s by looking at the ad.

Thanks in advance for any useful help,

Mowgli