Replies

1. 
   sorethum1 | Jul 29, 2002 08:04pm | #1

   Maybe a little oxalic acid on the spot?  todd

2. 
   goldhiller | Jul 29, 2002 08:16pm | #2

   Todd,

   It’s impossible to say what the cause of that/those black spots are from afar. As a matter of fact, it might be impossible to conclude what the cause is, period. There’s any number of things that can cause the type of thing you’re describing, including an iron- containing metal object that was left sitting in the same spot for too long a period of time. Moisture, including atmospheric, will drastically reduce the amount of time required to induce that spot. Warning……… these spots can run deep into the wood and there’s no guarantee that you’ll get the discoloration out before you’re through the veneer ( if present) or have sanded a trough in the top. If the piece is veneered, you may be ahead to install a veneer patch; if it’s solid stock, a dutchman.

   As far as doing a spot refinishing job…………………. Yes, it can be done, but depending upon your experience/skill level and numerous other factors, including what type of tools and materials you have available, it might take longer to do and cost more money than refinishing the entire piece. I’ve made many spot repairs to furniture over the years for insurance companies and museums and the learning curve is substantial. Then again, everyone must start their learning experience on some piece and perhaps this is as good a piece as any for you to cut your teeth on.

   On another approach……..how would you feel about a black lacquered desk or a combo mahogany/black lacquered desk? Oh yea, you said you didn’t want to do the whole desk. Just thinking out loud.

1. 
   sorethum1 | Jul 30, 2002 01:47am | #3

   You know, the black lacquer idea is intriguing.  The stains are on one of the side panels of this crafts style desk, and if I darkened the panels, leaving the rails/styles as is (reddish), it might be even more interesting.  The top will be all new, so I can color/finish it anyway I like. I was going to border the mahogany top with hard maple, now maybe just band it.  The black lacquer would just be a toner added to lacquer? Or a different finish (I don't have a sprayer)?

1. 
   goldhiller | Jul 30, 2002 05:35am | #4

   Todd,

   Now that I have a better conception of what your desk looks like, I have a few more ideas for you to consider. But first, to answer your question about black lacquer; I’ve never attempted to make a true black lacquer, but rather, I buy it from the same source where I acquire some other finishing products………….Mohawk Finishing Products. They have a number of colored lacquers available. Which leads me right into a couple of more notions………..rather than going all the way to black, perhaps you might consider using a toning/shading lacquer of your choice or one that you formulate to a custom color that would allow you to go just deep enough in color to cover the offending spots. You say that this is an ‘crafts style” desk and so I’m assuming that the end panels are recessed inside the frame. This leaves you in an ideal situation to get a good masking job, but yes, I’m afraid that these materials will have to be sprayed to look their best. I personally am not familiar with any brushing type black lacquer or T/S lacquers on the market, as I’ve never looked for them in this form. And even if the T/S lacquers were available in brushing type lacquer, it would be awfully difficult to spread it evenly enough to render the color evenly. I’m afraid that unless you can find them in an acceptable color in aerosol can form; you’re stuck to getting access to spray equipment to pull this off well. Perhaps, Mohawk has them in an aerosol cans. I’ve never looked. Take a look on their website and see what you find or you could give them a call.

   Now I’m off to another notion. If these end panels are recessed sufficiently, it could leave you in a position to simply re-veneer them. If the depth of recess is adequate, you could use a melamine backed veneer panel ( it’s like Formica, comes in sheets like Formica, but is wood veneer on its face) and attach it with contact cement. This would be simpler for you than using “just” veneer. It would even allow you to fit, color, and finish the veneer panel prior to installing it. These panels wouldn’t have to be mahogany; they could be any wood that suits the piece and is available in this form. Warning…….this stuff isn’t cheap.

   There ya go……more stuff to consider.

1. 
   Sancho | Jul 30, 2002 05:12pm | #5

   If your the todd im thinkingof they have a Mohawk finishing right in fullerton. Darkworksite4: When the job is to small for everyone else, Its just about right for me"

1. 
   sorethum1 | Jul 30, 2002 06:55pm | #6

   I'm not that Todd, but I'll see if there's something in the Chicago area. 

   I also began thinking about veneering the panel, and there may be enough room.  I would like to try playing with the finish some more, keeping the more extreme solutions for later if necessary.  I think I'm going to try 1, some deft wipe-on lacquer just to see the result and how it affects the surrounding lacquer, and 2, maybe a varnish with some color.  I rubbed the bare spot with some 000 scotch brite, and it didn't remove much, but I want to see what happens with a new finish over it.  I can experiment on the one spot before I work on the others.  Keep those suggestions coming. (Gretchen?)