Replies

1. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Aug 15, 2004 12:12pm | #1

   Paint thinner and cat litter.  Repeat and keep repeating.  The fir will be OK, but I have doubts about the luan.  Lots of little microcracks for the oil to soak into.  Soap and water may do a better job of removing the oil, but with the obvious bad side effects.  If you can get the surface color even, a wash of shellac may seal it well enough to get a finish on it.

2. 
   Drose | Aug 16, 2004 06:41am | #2

   would it make sense to cover all the raw wood with the coconut oil to not have to fuss with matching stain and whatnot? then a washcoat of shellac to isolate the coconut oil and what ever finish you desire?

1. 
   Bruce1620 | Aug 16, 2004 07:09am | #3

   Something I didn't mention in my initial description of the situation is that it occurred in a house we are renting.  It is a cedar kit house, and all the wood throughout--doors, trim walls--is bare.  So I have to either remove the oil or replace the door and casing.  As much as anything, I look at this as an interesting challenge.  Thanks for the help.

                                                 Bruce.

1. 
   UncleDunc | Aug 16, 2004 07:40am | #4

   Gunsmiths use a mixture of lacquer thinner (or other solvent of your choice) and whiting, which is like crushed chalk. The solvent dissolves the oil in the wood, and the whiting holds onto it, since it's more absorbent than wood. I've used it on a military surplus gunstock, and it really does pull the oil out. It may take several application, and I don't promise that it well ever get enough out so that you can't see the difference.

   The only source for whiting that I know of is Brownell's gunsmith supplies in Montezuma, IA, but a Google search might turn up others. Google for Brownell's address, too, I don't have it handy.

1. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Aug 16, 2004 05:30pm | #5

   White carpenter's chalk.  Same thing as whiting.  Easier to find but more expensive because of the nice bottle.  Baking soda, corn starch, flour, or any fine powder will work about as well.

1. 
   BarryR | Aug 17, 2004 06:50am | #7

   I second solvent & corn starch.  Use paint thinner, lacquer thinner or naphtha.  Make sure there are no ignition sources around or you might not have to worry about the stains.

2. 
   joinerswork | Aug 17, 2004 06:42am | #6

   Unc, and spruce,

   A good paint store ought to have whiting.

   Cheers,

   Ray

1. 
   UncleDunc | Aug 17, 2004 08:30am | #8

   That's good to know. I wouldn't have thought to look there. What do painters use whiting for?

2. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Aug 17, 2004 01:33pm | #9

   No paint store I know has whiting anymore.  Maybe you have better stores.  Back before lead and titanium pigments, you mixed your own paint.  Boiled linseed oil and whiting = white paint.  Glue and whiting = filler.  Whiting plus just enough raw linseed oil = glazing putty. 

3. 
   joinerswork | Aug 17, 2004 03:32pm | #10

   Uncle Dunc,

   Our local Duron Paint store carries it.  I guess the painters use it the same way I do, to thicken up putty (not glazing compound) after you have added universal tinting colors to match a wood color.  I do that for glazing windows in furniture, but around here, at least, painters also use it to fill nail holes, etc in finished woodwork. 

   The brand available here is "Rainbow", they also make Plaster of Paris and other products similar to that.

   Regards,

   Ray

3. 
   Bruce1620 | Aug 18, 2004 07:22am | #13

   Uncle Dunc and other friends,

   I just love this aspect of the digital age.  A lot of good ideas here.  Thank you all for your help.

                                                      Spruce.

2. 
   Gretchen | Aug 17, 2004 04:05pm | #11

   If the other solvents don't work you might try acetone.  And maybe rub it in with coarse sawdust or wood shavings.Gretchen

3. 
   JohnWW | Aug 17, 2004 06:17pm | #12

   While all of the methods outlined will remove most of the oil, none of them is likely to remove enough of the oil to make the stained wood match the raw wood. 

   Having unfinished wood in a kitchen is foolish, you just happen to be the poor guy who got stung by someone else's poor decision.  I'd try to talk the owner into properly finishing the cabinets before more inevitable mishaps really ruin the place.  The wood you accidentally stained could easily be blended in when the cabinets were given a proper finish. 

   If he or she doesn't want to do the job properly, I wouldn't feel that obligated to undo the damage.

   John W.   

   
   

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   Edited 8/17/2004 11:22 am ET by JohnW