Replies

1. 
   davamoore | Nov 18, 2002 05:00pm | #1

   I don't know if this counts as a good idea or not, but why not just sand out the cigarette marks and refinish that area with the same finish used on the butcher block?  I'm assuming you've used a food-safe product already (e.g., an oil), so I'd think it would be fairly simple to apply.  The newly exposed wood might be slightly different in color, but maple changes color fairly slowly (in my experience), so I wouldn't worry about trying to match -- I'd just let time do its magic.

   David

   Look, I made a hat -- Where there never was a hat!

2. 
   BG | Nov 18, 2002 06:23pm | #2

   ewok,

   I would agree with dave, but I would using sanding as a last resort.  First determine if the wood is stained or burnt from the stogie.  If just stained i would start with a little oil and ashes from the fire place (ie. soap, or Murphy's soap) and rub in good for a few minutes.  The beauty of soap is it gets stronger as it picks up dirt.  I then might try a little diluted bleach. 

   Another alternative is to call Service Master, they have all kinds of techniques for cleaning and removing..maybe they would share a good solution.

   If it's burnt..I suspect Dave's solution is probably the best...