Black spots after glue up with Tightbond 3
peterj_nz
| Posted in General Discussion on
Hi All, Looking for a bit of advice on a glue that went a bit sideways.
I have just glued up a tabletop in red oak using Tightbond 3. Clean up was done with clean water and a cloth but I seem to have developed some small black spots that almost look like an iron reaction but they were nowhere near clamps etc. Any advice on the cause and a remedy for the issue (before I take to it with the sander…)?
Pictures attached.
Cheers,
Peter
Replies
Those definitely look like there was some steel on the wood possibly dust from a grinder.
Or, there may be iron in your tap water.
I have had some success using OXALIC ACID cleaners. You can buy it in many forms but since we always have Barkeepers Friend in our kitchen, I just make up a thin watery paste and scrub the wood with an old toothbrush.
Shallow stains will bleach out completely, while some of the deepest stains won't come out 100%, they will become less noticeable. I've been pretty happy with the results.
Thanks Mike, I will give that a go
“[Deleted]”
+1 on bleaching out what appear to be iron stains. If you do not do any metal grinding in the area I would avoid using tap water for cleanup in your area. If the only source of the iron deposits is your tap water you could use distilled water for your water needs. This is what I do but I do not use it for cleanup.
Oxalic acid. Works wonders. Give it a quick wipe, and don't leave standing water. Repeat if necessary.
I'm guessing sweat. I sweat profusely, and left black spots all over a recently built oak table.