I'd try an inlay. If the scratches are in the center, I'd use wood chisels
or a router to hollow out a spot the same size as a piece of marble tile,
inset the tile and use it as a focal point, or a hot pad. Or find a
decorative tile design that will look good inset into the top. We have a
20" mosaic tile design inlaid into our kitchen floor tile, so I'd look for
something similar to put into the table top. If the scratches are
off-center, consider additional inlays as necessary if you want symmetry.
Let us know how it works out.

"dadiOH" wrote in message
news:c5h_d.5800$b_6.2220@trnddc01...
Harry Everhart wrote:
I have a 3 x 5 yellow pine table top. It was damaged in moving - a
metal object was scratching the top for 1000 miles. It scratched up a
6 inch square pretty badly. We like the table a lot - it has a plain
oil finish. The scratches are too deep to sand out. I need some tips
on how to finish it and make it presentable. I would like to re-stain
it and put a glossy finish over that. We eat three meals a day on
this table and wipe it often - how do I get rid of the deep
scratches? I have a palm sander and tried to sand the scratches out
but they are to deep.

1. Plane entire table (depending on depth of gouges, you may be able to
use a scraper)
2. Sand entire table
3. Finish
-or-
1. Fill scratches/gouges
2. Sand
3. Finish

Note that filling will never result in a result that matches the rest of
the table top unless you are skilled enough to "paint in" a matching
grain pattern and colors..

--
dadiOH
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