I just bought a really nice heavy early (1920’s) solid walnut library table at an auction. When I got it home and examined it closely, I discovered it has a large water or sun stain on most of the top. About half of the finish (unknown) is damaged. There is a couple large spots of black stain down in the fibers.
Question of course is “How to remove them. I have already sanded the entire top with 320 grit – but the stains – still there. Is there some chemical wood bleach I can buy or mix up at home? I know I will have to refinish the top afterwards.
Chuck
Replies
Might be ink too. I"ll let wiser head recommend the bleaching techniques.
It looks like aged wood that has been uncared for for a long time. The table had a 1/4 inch glass cover on it. Apparently it has been sitting in front of a picture window as it has sun damage only on one side and on half of the top in an irregular shap. It just appears to me that moisture and sun got to it over the years. Think I'll look into the bleaching route - unless I hear from the "expert".
Thanks for your help.
Then maybe it is sun faded where it is light and not where it is dark. But there is still a VERY black spot?Gretchen
Right. So what do you recommend?
I am still hoping that the folks that really know bleach will come along. But I think probably bleaching the entire top and treating the black mark more aggressively is the way you'll need to go.Gretchen
If the dark stain is a water stain, you can try oxalic acid as a bleach. A couple of applications may be needed. Oxalic acid should be available at most real paint stores in powdered form.
If the dark stain is ink, then you should at least try chlorine bleach. (Pool chlorine is stronger than household bleach.) Some (many) inks will be nearly impervious to this, and may need to be considered part of the history of the piece.
Bleaches will only work if there is no finish on the areas to be finished. You mention sanding the top with 320. I wouldn't imagine that has removed the finish. You should probably strip the old finish off with a chemical stripper of choice. Methylene Chloride strippers are most potent, but this is nasty stuff, and you need real ventilation, not just a couple of open windows. Safer strippers take longer, and are more likely to raise grain. If you want to sand off the old finish it will probably take more aggressive grits.
Sun bleaching should be fairly thin and would sand off, once the finish has been removed. I assume this there isn't patina that you would want to preserve. The other alternative is two part wood bleaches that remove much of the basic wood color, and would then require dyeing and staining to return to a natural look.
Here is an article on bleaching. There's also one here on FWW, if you have a subscription.http://www.antiquerestorers.com/Articles/jeff/using_wood_bleach.htm
Steve,
before you recommend those nasty chemical strippers take some alcohol to the finish, a lot of older finishes were simply shellac.. if it is you are extremely lucky a little denatured alcohol and either a fine piece of steel woll or just a rag and it will quickly come right off..
Yes, I agree go with denatured alcohol first--somehow I got in my head 20 years old, when the table was actually 1920's.
ALWAYS a lucky find when the finish is shellac!! So much easier and less messy.Gretchen
When one tries to get educated, the more one learns, the more one realizes just how much he still has to learn. I am sure getting an education on undesirable and accidental stained woods. I really appreciate all the help that is being offered on this forum. I do not know which way to go yet. I may take a picture or two and post it if I can figure out how to get it on the forum site.
is the stain unbearable?
i generaly recomend leaving a piece of furrnatures
history visable.
my oak dinning table has an large scorch from an iron
that had been set on the top.
most folks tell me they like the it.
espalier
I love the natural and "used look" of patina also. However in this case, the library table is in such good condition every where else that it makes the damaged area look "damaged'" instead of just patina'd or aged. I think the top of this table needs to be corrected.
Exactly. You are the one that is going to live with it. I love a distressed look on some things--but not everything!! But Steve (I think said it) is right--ink may just have to be a character mark!!Gretchen
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