My father-in-law gave us an old round oak dinner table that his
brother had given him several years before. He said that it had
originally been painted white and a couple years ago he stripped off
the paint, sanded it, and put a coat of clear varnish on it. The wood
looks great but there's a very annoying 3" stain in the middle of the
table. We don't know what the stain is from, it's a darkish red color
that's a bit darker in the middle than at the edges. My father-in-law
said he tried sanding it out but had no luck. Fortunately I don't
think he sanded very much.
I've read on here about using oxalic acid for some types of stains and
wonder if I should try it on this one? Of course I'll have to strip
the varnish off first, but since we want to use this table in our home
we have to get rid of that stain first. Will oxalic acid work on a
variety of unknown stains like this one? Any advice would be
appreicated.
Thanks,
David
I just read an article on using bleaches to remove stains and realize
that maybe it would be wiser to use a strong concentrate of pool
chlorine on the stain. Would I put the bleach on just the stain, or
over the whole top of the table? Still hoping for any other
advice.....thanks.
David
[email protected] (David) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> My father-in-law gave us an old round oak dinner table that his
> brother had given him several years before. He said that it had
> originally been painted white and a couple years ago he stripped off
> the paint, sanded it, and put a coat of clear varnish on it. The wood
> looks great but there's a very annoying 3" stain in the middle of the
> table. We don't know what the stain is from, it's a darkish red color
> that's a bit darker in the middle than at the edges. My father-in-law
> said he tried sanding it out but had no luck. Fortunately I don't
> think he sanded very much.
>
> I've read on here about using oxalic acid for some types of stains and
> wonder if I should try it on this one? Of course I'll have to strip
> the varnish off first, but since we want to use this table in our home
> we have to get rid of that stain first. Will oxalic acid work on a
> variety of unknown stains like this one? Any advice would be
> appreicated.
>
> Thanks,
> David
I just read an article on using bleaches to remove stains and realize
that maybe it would be wiser to use a strong concentrate of pool
chlorine on the stain. Would I put the bleach on just the stain, or
over the whole top of the table? Still hoping for any other
advice.....thanks.
David
[email protected] (David) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> My father-in-law gave us an old round oak dinner table that his
> brother had given him several years before. He said that it had
> originally been painted white and a couple years ago he stripped off
> the paint, sanded it, and put a coat of clear varnish on it. The wood
> looks great but there's a very annoying 3" stain in the middle of the
> table. We don't know what the stain is from, it's a darkish red color
> that's a bit darker in the middle than at the edges. My father-in-law
> said he tried sanding it out but had no luck. Fortunately I don't
> think he sanded very much.
>
> I've read on here about using oxalic acid for some types of stains and
> wonder if I should try it on this one? Of course I'll have to strip
> the varnish off first, but since we want to use this table in our home
> we have to get rid of that stain first. Will oxalic acid work on a
> variety of unknown stains like this one? Any advice would be
> appreicated.
>
> Thanks,
> David
"Charles Spitzer" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> "David" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > I just read an article on using bleaches to remove stains and realize
> > that maybe it would be wiser to use a strong concentrate of pool
> > chlorine on the stain. Would I put the bleach on just the stain, or
> > over the whole top of the table? Still hoping for any other
> > advice.....thanks.
> >
> > David
> >
> > [email protected] (David) wrote in message
> news:<[email protected]>...
> > > My father-in-law gave us an old round oak dinner table that his
> > > brother had given him several years before. He said that it had
> > > originally been painted white and a couple years ago he stripped off
> > > the paint, sanded it, and put a coat of clear varnish on it. The wood
> > > looks great but there's a very annoying 3" stain in the middle of the
> > > table. We don't know what the stain is from, it's a darkish red color
> > > that's a bit darker in the middle than at the edges. My father-in-law
> > > said he tried sanding it out but had no luck. Fortunately I don't
> > > think he sanded very much.
> > >
> > > I've read on here about using oxalic acid for some types of stains and
> > > wonder if I should try it on this one? Of course I'll have to strip
> > > the varnish off first, but since we want to use this table in our home
> > > we have to get rid of that stain first. Will oxalic acid work on a
> > > variety of unknown stains like this one? Any advice would be
> > > appreicated.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > David
>
> no. bleach is basic. oxalic acid is, well, acid.
I'm not sure which question your "no" is referring to? Should I try
oxalic acid or a strong pool chlorine for this specific stain? Apply
only to the stain or the whole table top? Again, I appreciate your
help.
David
Oxalic acid is used to remove the dark stains caused by iron reacting
with the tannins in the wood. If you have any other kind of stain, it won't
help you.
"David" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> So this reddish 3" stain is probably a natural occurance in oak? I
thought
> it looked like something dark red that was spilled there many years ago
and
> no one could get it off. If the stain were to be some kind of drink or
food
> would I still use the oxalic acid?
>
>
> "Baron" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > If I understand you correctly, the stain is below a finish of
varnish.
> > You will have to remove the varnish to get to the stain. The stain
should
> > have been dealt with before finishing.
> >
> > As nospambob pointed out, you will need oxalic acid. It is not a
> bleach
> > in the same way that chlorine or peroxide is. It works on a very
> particular
> > type of stain that is very common on oak or other high tannin woods.
> >
> > Good Luck.
> >
> > "David" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > > My father-in-law gave us an old round oak dinner table that his
> > > brother had given him several years before. He said that it had
> > > originally been painted white and a couple years ago he stripped off
> > > the paint, sanded it, and put a coat of clear varnish on it. The wood
> > > looks great but there's a very annoying 3" stain in the middle of the
> > > table. We don't know what the stain is from, it's a darkish red color
> > > that's a bit darker in the middle than at the edges. My father-in-law
> > > said he tried sanding it out but had no luck. Fortunately I don't
> > > think he sanded very much.
> > >
> > > I've read on here about using oxalic acid for some types of stains and
> > > wonder if I should try it on this one? Of course I'll have to strip
> > > the varnish off first, but since we want to use this table in our home
> > > we have to get rid of that stain first. Will oxalic acid work on a
> > > variety of unknown stains like this one? Any advice would be
> > > appreicated.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > David
> >
> >
>
>
Oxalic acid is a bleach. Hypochlorous acid is "chlorine bleach," created by
dissolving sodium hypochlorite in water.
Use the oxalic, or maybe those peroxide types. It's oxidation that
bleaches.
"David" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Charles Spitzer" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> >
> > no. bleach is basic. oxalic acid is, well, acid.
>
> I'm not sure which question your "no" is referring to? Should I try
> oxalic acid or a strong pool chlorine for this specific stain? Apply
> only to the stain or the whole table top? Again, I appreciate your
> help.
>
> David
Yep, and as this is a red, rather than black, it doesn't seem to need the
Fe+++-eating stuff.
That's where oxalic excels. Ferric tannate / ferrous tannate.
"Baron" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> As nospambob pointed out, you will need oxalic acid. It is not a
bleach
> in the same way that chlorine or peroxide is. It works on a very
particular
> type of stain that is very common on oak or other high tannin woods.
Yep, they would. Neat thing is, you can try some of the peroxide underneath
the table to make sure it doesn't to anything untoward, then on the red.
Almost bet there's some downstairs named oxy(whatever). If no joy,
purchase oxalic acid of little other use than the purpose for which you
intend.
"David" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Would most paint stores have oxalic acid? Or where might I find it?
> > "Baron" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> > >
> > > As nospambob pointed out, you will need oxalic acid. It is not a
> > bleach
> > > in the same way that chlorine or peroxide is. It works on a very
> > particular
> > > type of stain that is very common on oak or other high tannin woods.
> >
> >
>
>
FIRST try what's probably easily available - the oxy stuff. The oxalic acid
is used against iron stain, which you don't seem to have, and can be
purchased if the other doesn't work.
As with anything you do, experiment underneath and out of sight to determine
side-effects prior to the actual thing.
"David" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Sorry, but I just don't understand....obviously because I'm new to
this....
> Are you saying I *should* use the oxalic acid for the dark red stain on
this
> oak table or something else? And, whatever I use, should I treat the
whole
> table table top or just the stain? Please be as specific as possible ok?
Probably will. Oak is known for dark stains from metallic traces
dissolved in water. Oxalic acid is packaged as wood bleach but chech
label as there are other bleaches also. Paint store usually has.
Believe www.homesteadfinishing.com has article about bleaching.
On 26 Jul 2004 22:27:36 -0700, [email protected] (David) wrote:
>My father-in-law gave us an old round oak dinner table that his
>brother had given him several years before. He said that it had
>originally been painted white and a couple years ago he stripped off
>the paint, sanded it, and put a coat of clear varnish on it. The wood
>looks great but there's a very annoying 3" stain in the middle of the
>table. We don't know what the stain is from, it's a darkish red color
>that's a bit darker in the middle than at the edges. My father-in-law
>said he tried sanding it out but had no luck. Fortunately I don't
>think he sanded very much.
>
>I've read on here about using oxalic acid for some types of stains and
>wonder if I should try it on this one? Of course I'll have to strip
>the varnish off first, but since we want to use this table in our home
>we have to get rid of that stain first. Will oxalic acid work on a
>variety of unknown stains like this one? Any advice would be
>appreicated.
>
>Thanks,
>David
"George" <george@least> wrote in news:[email protected]:
> Oxalic acid is a bleach. Hypochlorous acid is "chlorine bleach,"
> created by dissolving sodium hypochlorite in water.
>
> Use the oxalic, or maybe those peroxide types. It's oxidation that
> bleaches.
>
>
Whether alkaline or acid, each bleach will leave a residue even if all the
oxidative power is uused up. Wood fibers would remain susceptible to acid
or alkaline hydrolysis. So, after using bleach, use PLENTY of water to
rinse away the residue, then use the same quantity of water again.
--
Best regards
Han
email address is invalid
"David" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I just read an article on using bleaches to remove stains and realize
> that maybe it would be wiser to use a strong concentrate of pool
> chlorine on the stain. Would I put the bleach on just the stain, or
> over the whole top of the table? Still hoping for any other
> advice.....thanks.
>
> David
>
> [email protected] (David) wrote in message
news:<[email protected]>...
> > My father-in-law gave us an old round oak dinner table that his
> > brother had given him several years before. He said that it had
> > originally been painted white and a couple years ago he stripped off
> > the paint, sanded it, and put a coat of clear varnish on it. The wood
> > looks great but there's a very annoying 3" stain in the middle of the
> > table. We don't know what the stain is from, it's a darkish red color
> > that's a bit darker in the middle than at the edges. My father-in-law
> > said he tried sanding it out but had no luck. Fortunately I don't
> > think he sanded very much.
> >
> > I've read on here about using oxalic acid for some types of stains and
> > wonder if I should try it on this one? Of course I'll have to strip
> > the varnish off first, but since we want to use this table in our home
> > we have to get rid of that stain first. Will oxalic acid work on a
> > variety of unknown stains like this one? Any advice would be
> > appreicated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > David
no. bleach is basic. oxalic acid is, well, acid.
If I understand you correctly, the stain is below a finish of varnish.
You will have to remove the varnish to get to the stain. The stain should
have been dealt with before finishing.
As nospambob pointed out, you will need oxalic acid. It is not a bleach
in the same way that chlorine or peroxide is. It works on a very particular
type of stain that is very common on oak or other high tannin woods.
Good Luck.
"David" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> My father-in-law gave us an old round oak dinner table that his
> brother had given him several years before. He said that it had
> originally been painted white and a couple years ago he stripped off
> the paint, sanded it, and put a coat of clear varnish on it. The wood
> looks great but there's a very annoying 3" stain in the middle of the
> table. We don't know what the stain is from, it's a darkish red color
> that's a bit darker in the middle than at the edges. My father-in-law
> said he tried sanding it out but had no luck. Fortunately I don't
> think he sanded very much.
>
> I've read on here about using oxalic acid for some types of stains and
> wonder if I should try it on this one? Of course I'll have to strip
> the varnish off first, but since we want to use this table in our home
> we have to get rid of that stain first. Will oxalic acid work on a
> variety of unknown stains like this one? Any advice would be
> appreicated.
>
> Thanks,
> David
Sorry, but I just don't understand....obviously because I'm new to this....
Are you saying I *should* use the oxalic acid for the dark red stain on this
oak table or something else? And, whatever I use, should I treat the whole
table table top or just the stain? Please be as specific as possible ok?
Thanks,
David
"George" <george@least> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Yep, and as this is a red, rather than black, it doesn't seem to need the
> Fe+++-eating stuff.
>
> That's where oxalic excels. Ferric tannate / ferrous tannate.
>
> "Baron" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > As nospambob pointed out, you will need oxalic acid. It is not a
> bleach
> > in the same way that chlorine or peroxide is. It works on a very
> particular
> > type of stain that is very common on oak or other high tannin woods.
>
>
So this reddish 3" stain is probably a natural occurance in oak? I thought
it looked like something dark red that was spilled there many years ago and
no one could get it off. If the stain were to be some kind of drink or food
would I still use the oxalic acid?
"Baron" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> If I understand you correctly, the stain is below a finish of varnish.
> You will have to remove the varnish to get to the stain. The stain should
> have been dealt with before finishing.
>
> As nospambob pointed out, you will need oxalic acid. It is not a
bleach
> in the same way that chlorine or peroxide is. It works on a very
particular
> type of stain that is very common on oak or other high tannin woods.
>
> Good Luck.
>
> "David" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > My father-in-law gave us an old round oak dinner table that his
> > brother had given him several years before. He said that it had
> > originally been painted white and a couple years ago he stripped off
> > the paint, sanded it, and put a coat of clear varnish on it. The wood
> > looks great but there's a very annoying 3" stain in the middle of the
> > table. We don't know what the stain is from, it's a darkish red color
> > that's a bit darker in the middle than at the edges. My father-in-law
> > said he tried sanding it out but had no luck. Fortunately I don't
> > think he sanded very much.
> >
> > I've read on here about using oxalic acid for some types of stains and
> > wonder if I should try it on this one? Of course I'll have to strip
> > the varnish off first, but since we want to use this table in our home
> > we have to get rid of that stain first. Will oxalic acid work on a
> > variety of unknown stains like this one? Any advice would be
> > appreicated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > David
>
>
Would most paint stores have oxalic acid? Or where might I find it?
"George" <george@least> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Yep, and as this is a red, rather than black, it doesn't seem to need the
> Fe+++-eating stuff.
>
> That's where oxalic excels. Ferric tannate / ferrous tannate.
>
> "Baron" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> >
> > As nospambob pointed out, you will need oxalic acid. It is not a
> bleach
> > in the same way that chlorine or peroxide is. It works on a very
> particular
> > type of stain that is very common on oak or other high tannin woods.
>
>