Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Two Questions re table finishing

First. my dear daughter got some kind of red marker stain on the top of a light finished conference table in my office (so much for take-your-daughter-to-work-day . . . ). Any way to get it out?

Second, my husband got a great bargain on a really solid oak (I think) round dining table, but . . . the top isn't in great shape, the finish is old and stained and kind of soft. Is it possible to do a refinish just on the top of the table? Can something like Varathane be put on the top so it might survive the rest of our daughter's childhood?

Thanks. I'm not a great do-it-yourselfer, but I'm willing to try.

If it was a marker like usually found in a conference room, try alcohol.

You should strip the old finish, but careful sanding unless you are sure it is solid and not a veneer. Varathane is OK, but I have had good luck over the years with Minwax products. You will likely get both suggestions, but polyurethane is the easiest tough finish you can do.

Thanks for the advice -- if I strip the top of the table, do I have to restain it or can I just get the top layer off and then put on the polyurethane?

The table will tend to be lighter after rmoving the finish. The Minwax stains are excellent for blending to duplicate the color. Provential and golden oak blended very closely duplicated the natural ageing color of oak. Need it darker??? Add special walnut !!

CD