Had a bottle of olive oil break on a 6 year old wide plank white oak floor with oil based poly finish. Over the ensuing week or so it is apparent that some oil staining is occurring at a butt joint. Darkening soaking in about a half inch of each board at the joint.
Tried sifting a little flour on the joint and leaving it to see if some might soak out. Not successful. Wondering if there are some recommendations for a possible poultice along the lines of what you might use on stone to both loosen the oil and draw it out. I have used baking soda and acetone on marble, but worried about the poly finish and acetone. I was thinking perhaps mineral spirits and baking soda?
Replies
I have used Bon Ami with some water to make a poultice. Force it into the joint and cover with plastic wrap for overnight. You may have to get a flooring guy to replace the two boards.
Try mineral spirits that you can get at Loews or Home Depot. I have no experience with poly finishes on oak flooring. The only thing I am familiar with for finishing an oak floor is the stuff that was used on the floor of the 1920 Sears house I grew up in. Can't remember the name but it was similar to a lacquer finish. If it needed refinishing you washed the area with alcohol and then reapplied the original material. The new would dissolve the old and merge the two coats together. When applied correctly nothing would get past the coating and allow anything into the oak underneath. It seemed to have had high VOCs but the VOCs dissipated quickly. It wasn't shellac though. It may not be available anymore but it was great stuff.
Try the mineral spirits and blotter paper with a weight on top of the paper. Some heat may be necessary to aid in drawing out the oil. If nothing works you can always replace the board that looks the worst and while the end of the other board is exposed you could try the mineral spirits and blotter paper again or maybe just a hair dryer and the blotter paper.