Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site tekig1.UUCP Path: utzoo!utcs!lsuc!pesnta!hplabs!tektronix!tekig1!mikemo From: mikemo@tekig1.UUCP (Mike Moser) Newsgroups: net.rec.wood Subject: Re: that awful spot Message-ID: <1838@tekig1.UUCP> Date: Tue, 12-Feb-85 14:49:17 EST Article-I.D.: tekig1.1838 Posted: Tue Feb 12 14:49:17 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 14-Feb-85 11:46:23 EST References: <532@decwrl.UUCP> Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR Lines: 16 > I bought a used table made of solid oak. There were some > blemishes on it that I thought could be sanded out. Well > I was wrong. They are not just surface blemishes. > Big black stains, that I believe are water marks. Anyway I can't > seem to get them out. I tried steel wool and a wire > brush using regular clorox and it helped alittle, > but I still have a long way to go. There is a chemical called oxalic acid that is used to remove certain stains from wood. Oxalic acid is very dangerous and in some states is only available to professional painters and woodworkers. Here in Oregon I can get it at my paint store. It is a powder you mix with warm water, apply and wait, and then neutralize it with baking soda. I have used it on water spots with good results and on other spots with poor results. As with any unknown chemical you should try it on a scrap piece first. I repeat, it is strong stuff so use rubber gloves and read the directions carefully.