With many antiques, you will find them comprised completely of wood although some may have had veneers added. You will need to determine what type of piece you have before you can begin.

Moisture rings are very common, and you need to know how to remove these without causing any damage the surface of the wood. These rings tend to be white and can be removed fairly well with a chemical called amalgamator. You can purchase this at any home improvement center. Dampen a soft cloth with the solution and apply it sparingly without rubbing. Dab the surface pressing gently so that the solution can penetrate into the stain. If the treatment does not seem to be working, repeat the process waiting a few minutes in between applications.

If the stain is persistent you can gently sand the surface. Start with the softest steel wool available then switch to 600-grit sandpaper if you require more effort to remove the stain. You can dampen the sandpaper in a little soapy water which will act as a lubricant but remember to be gentle.

It is usually easy to fix minor scratches and shallow nicks on wooden surfaces. You can use gel stains, liquid stains and pencil stains all depending on the nature if the repair. Choose the colour closest to the original stain and mix several if need be until you get the one that matches the best. It's also very important to use clean, lint free cloths for all steps.