Replies

1. 
   GretchenTHE FIRST | May 08, 2011 03:35pm | #1

   I assume the "stains" are

   I assume the "stains" are black. The finish on top, at least, will need to be stripped and the stains bleached with oxalic acid.  They can test for shellac--if it gets soft and gummy when you rub it with denatured alcohol, it is shellac, and can be stripped with that. Chances are it is something else and a chemical stripper will be needed.

1. 
   ctsjr | May 08, 2011 09:02pm | #3

   Oxalic acid

   Thanks GTF.  They have cleaned the stains, maybe even bleached them in the process.  They are now a light grey color.  What I don't know is how deep in the stains are, and will planing or sanding remove the stains.  I'll suggest the oxalic acid to them.  

   Tom

1. 
   Westchester | May 09, 2011 03:58pm | #5

   Oxalic Acid

   The OA is likely the best choice after striping and sanding.  Remember to wear a dust mask when dealing with the OA - especially in it's powder dry form following application -

   SA

2. 
   roc | May 08, 2011 04:25pm | #2

   I feel jipped

   I thought this was going to be the latest cool guy stain.  You know :

   Step one - get a pumpkin

   Step two - let it age for nine months

   Step three - drain off clear fluid

   Step four - during a full moon mix in exactly five milligrams of da da da; no more, no less.

   shoot . . .

   All I can say is you can test the finish to see if it is shellac by rubbing it with denatured alchohol in an inconspicuous area to see if it disolves the finish.  If not go on to lacquer thinnner if yes it is . . . well you get the idea.

   This point marks the spot where I get completely out of my depth and start to pull suggestions out of my posterior and babble and slaver at the mouth so you may want to, at this juncture, leave and go read another post but I will soldier on in any case.

   If the denatured dissolves the finish you may then be able to dissolve a bunch of the finish on the top of the dresser, maybe add to it a little and blend it all back into one homogenous whole that does not show where the disaster struck.  If not nothing lost; the top will then be in need of more drastic measures.

   Hey I read a book once.  Good luck.

    

1. 
   ctsjr | May 08, 2011 09:03pm | #4

   Thanks Roc

   Thanks for the suggestions.  I'll pass them along.