My daughter has managed to spill her blue kool-aid on the coffee table and it went un-noticed for a few hours. That of course means I now have a blue ring a splatters stained into the table. I know there is a way to wick it out but I can’t remember how nor can I find were I read that. I would appreciate any suggestions.
Oh, I could use some ideas for removing super glue off a formica counter top also.
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If the superglue (Crazy glue) doesn't just chip off, Acetone (nail polish remover) or Xylene usually gets it off. Xylene is available at better paint shops.
As far as the coffee table goes, gotta know what the existing finish is. Kool-aid is actually pernicious stuff.
I'm not sure about the finish, its a store bought coffee table. Polyurethane I assume.
Don't assume. You'll just get into trouble.
What kind of store? A little antique or custom store could have funiture from anywhere - anything- from oil to shellac.
If it's from a large retail chain like ikea or walmart or sears or something like that, it would probably be from a larger production shop- a post-catalyzed lacquer or even a vinyl curtain coat finish.
Most heavy-duty finishes would not be marked by the kool-aid. I'm thinking its not polyurethane or industrial lacquer. .... (mind you, the stuff even stains Formica sometimes....)
Its from a "wal-mart" type store.
Also it has a very thin finished that scratches easily, don't know if that helps.
"there is a way to wick it out...." Often, you can just let it dry or heat it gently with a hair dryer to cause the water to evaporate out of the finish. I seem to remember that wiping with a barely damp cloth with rubbing alcohol works, but I can't find a reference for it, so no guarantees.
Problem you'll have is the blue! Bummer. For stubborn white rings, Bruce Johnson recommends cleaning with turpentine, then sprinkle the area with "fine ashes or rottenstone" and use a coarse cloth dipped in mineral oil to lightly rub in the direction of the grain. Check frequently and add more oil and abrasive as needed. Lightly rub out entire top for uniform sheen, wipe dry and was.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Actually- this doesn't help but mayonnaise kicks the crap out of the white rings (watermarks) on most finishes.
As far as the blue ring goes, if its from a Wal-mart type store, I'd say you're looking at a thin post-cat lacquer or polyester coating. the ring shouldn't have actually penetrated. Spot repair is tough but you can try rubbing out the area with naptha to see if it helps clean the area (it won't eat the finish). If that isn't working you may have to start abrading the finish gently with pumice or a scoth-brite (grey) pad.
If the finish was fairly glossy to start with, you will probably lose the sheen unless you're prepared to do a lot of work on it.
Best of luck.
P.S. - last time my daughter did in one of her tables (which I had made)- it was scrape, sand and refinish. 4 hours and back in business. (oil, shellac and 2 coats water-based polyurethane)
Worst case maybe, but not the end of the world.
blue kool-aid on the coffee table..
Do the whole top and it will look like purpleheart?
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