These form when moisture from a drippy glass or a hot dish gets trapped in the finish. To remove a long-standing stain,place a towel on top and press with a warm,dry iron for five to 10 seconds — this will soften the finish enough to release the moisture. Candle wax and crayon respond well to ice. Fill a plastic bag with ice cubes,wrap it in a towel,and place it on the stain until it hardens(a few minutes);carefully coax wax off with a plastic spatula or a credit card.

Hide them with touch-up markers like those from Parker & Bailey($6,ParkerBailey.com),which we tested and found effective. Dab(don't color) a scratch with the lightest marker in the kit,then use a darker one if needed. Wipe off the excess with a soft cloth before it dries,and finish with a polish.