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Damage repair for birch plywood

Tisme | Posted in General Discussion on August 7, 2010 07:24am

I have a *beautiful* dining table top my husband made to go over our old, small table.   It is made of birch plywood – no seam, gorgeous grain, finished with tung oil.  Over the years, it has given great pleasure for its reflective, honey colored finish.  Sadly, it how has dark stain spots from a leaking, rotting nectarine – don’t ask.  Picture is attached……..
Does anyone know how to remove this stain?  I was going to use steel wool, but knowing the veneer is so thin, I was thinking maybe a chemical remover/bleach of some kind would work.  I’m sick about this and dearly hope someone can help.

Thanks ever so!

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Replies

  1. calvin | Aug 07, 2010 07:39pm | #1

    Like you said-the veneer is very thin............

    I would ask your husband about making up a round lazy susan of the same or complementary species/color to go in that spot.

    A design feature that enables you to sleep tomorrow nite.

    Best of luck.

    Oh, the kind of susan that's placed on top it cool.

    One that rotates flush with the existing top is KILLER.

    edit:  Screw those that would say the flush install will get all gooped up.  Make it so it lifts out-easily cleaned.  The look is worth the effort.

    1. Tisme | Aug 07, 2010 07:55pm | #2

      Thanks, but unfortunately my husband now has advanced dementia, so I am taking to task all the jobs we used to do for the past 32 years.  Is this something for which I can find instructions?  I *think* I understand you to suggest an "inlay" sort of approach, yes? 

      1. calvin | Aug 07, 2010 08:26pm | #3

        Yes, an inlayed susan would be sweet.

        But, for the quick fix you could certainly have someone cut you a disk, simple edge (probably glued up solid rather than ply.  I don't think I would edgeband it, but maybe if you could get them to cut the edge true-a straight cutting router bit with a template-edge band veneer would be nice.  The susan top would be more stable out of ply I suppose, unless you glued up several narrow pcs of solid stock.  Screw the ball bearing susan base and spin around the chinese food when people are over.

        You could make it larger or small.

        We had dinner in an asian reat. a long time ago.  The enitre center 3/4's of the top spun in the middle.  Smorgasboard table. 

        Great for dessert too.

        One on top would be easier, quicker perhaps and possibly available finished online or perhaps a kitchen shop.

        We've got one up in the cupboard that a friend made us out of oak with a spear of walnut run through it.  Very nice.

        So sorry to hear of the health of your husband.  Best of luck to you both.

      2. User avater
        coonass | Aug 07, 2010 08:36pm | #4

        Tisme,

        You won't cut through the veneer with steel wool. I would try some toothpaste and a soft cloth first then move up to  Bon Ami with a green scrubby , very softly.

        Feather out the edges if you seem to be removing the patina. Recoat with more Tung.

        KK

        1. calvin | Aug 07, 2010 08:39pm | #5

          You know Ken, if that ply is older-it might be thick enough.

          Now, if you look at some of the 'cab' plys available, the backer comes through.  Certainly worth the try.

  2. DanH | Aug 07, 2010 10:47pm | #6

    You could try "wood bleach"

    You could try "wood bleach" from a paint store.  This is generally oxyalic acid, though sometimes other chemicals are included.

    Birch generally is a fairly non-absorbant wood, so hopefully the stain is not very deep -- some light scrubbing with steel wool may be successful.

    If there is a furniture repair/finishing place near you they may have some ideas.

  3. k1c | Aug 08, 2010 11:53pm | #7

    I never bleached wood before, but wood bleach or other kinds of bleach may take away the grain as well.  Instead of Homedepot, look for store that sells just paint and they may be able to give you more specific information.  Actually, this website also has woodworking forum called Knots where there are more people working with wood and stains, etc.

    One weak bleach you may have around the house is hydrogen peroxide.  Ask at the Knots first, but you might try applying peroxide (or oxyclean the laundry detergent) on a small area.  Take a papertowel and make 1 inch square about 5 layers thick, soak it with bleach then put it down on the middle of the stain and weigh it down with a flat cup or paperweight.  Come back in 10 minutes and see if you notice any difference.  The moisture also may dissolve some of the stain and come off on the paper.

    If wood does get bleached, one way to get some of the patina back maybe amber shellac.  Apply little at a time with paper towel, wait to dry and see if it is blending in.  If you are satisfied, recoat with oil.  Hope it helps.

  4. DanH | Aug 09, 2010 07:36am | #8

    It occurs to me that this is tung oil.  The stain may be simply dissolved in the tung oil.  I don't know what a good solvent for the oil is, but you could use a solvent to remove as much of it as you can and see how much of the stain comes with.  You'll probably want to do this anyway before using wood bleach.

  5. cussnu2 | Aug 09, 2010 10:38am | #9

    Depending on where it is

    you could just consider having an artist use the stain in a hand painted design.  You could have them do a geometeric pattern or something that suits your decor in the kitchen.

    Sort of like tattoo artists that have to go in and convert a tattoo from an old lover.

    It could be done in paint or you could probably do it yourself in gel stains by taping off a pattern very carefully and making sure to use a very dry approach so the stain doesn't creep under the tape.  In the center of a table, a suburst of triangles or diamonds would be interesting and you might find it to be an affordable way to get a completely "new" look to the table.  Finish over the paint or stain with a clear finish and you are back in business.

  6. sapwood | Aug 09, 2010 04:36pm | #10

    Oxalic acid will most likely take this stain right out. No muss, no fuss. If it doesn't, there will be no harm to the wood. If it does, there will be no ill effects either except for some raised grain. Then sand and re-oil.

    Oxalic acid comes in the form of a powder or crystal. You can get it at any good full service paint store. Mix only a little (1/4 cup). 

  7. bd | Aug 09, 2010 04:45pm | #11

         Just a suggestion. Head over to 

    http://forums.delphiforums.com/breaktimeclass/start    

    See if you can ring up  "sphere". He's a finishing expert.

     

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