Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - water damage to oak buffet
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05-15-01, 11:47 AM
We recently aquired an old oak buffet from my parents. Most of the buffet is in good shape. The top has quite a bit of water damage. The grain is raised slightly in a good portion of the top. we would likt to refinish the entire piece but are unsure how to repsair the water damage on the top.
George
05-15-01, 07:05 PM
Jack:
I'm assuming at this point the water damage has resulted in black spots or marks on the top. If this is the case, finish stripping the top (lacquer thinner and steel wool should do the trick), then apply oxalic acid. Don't let the name scare you off. Oxalic acid is a wood bleach that comes in powder form. You make a saturate solution in hot water and apply this to the top - results are usually near instantaneous - 60 seconds or less. Sometimes repeat applications are needed - generally no more than three in all.
This process will lighten the top slightly, but not so much that a careful stain job can't blend it all back together.
Use this solution on the entire top, not just the affected area, to maintain a uniform color. After it has worked, wipe the excess water of with clean rags and allow to dry. Wipe once again with damp rags to remove the powder lresidue left by the acid, and again allow to dry. You're now ready to sand, restain, and refinish.
In your initial sanding after bleaching, you may need to wear a dust mask (probably should in any instance). The oxalic acid powder left behind is a mild irritant to the nasal passages - if you have respiratory problems, take care.
I'm assuming at this point the water damage has resulted in black spots or marks on the top. If this is the case, finish stripping the top (lacquer thinner and steel wool should do the trick), then apply oxalic acid. Don't let the name scare you off. Oxalic acid is a wood bleach that comes in powder form. You make a saturate solution in hot water and apply this to the top - results are usually near instantaneous - 60 seconds or less. Sometimes repeat applications are needed - generally no more than three in all.
This process will lighten the top slightly, but not so much that a careful stain job can't blend it all back together.
Use this solution on the entire top, not just the affected area, to maintain a uniform color. After it has worked, wipe the excess water of with clean rags and allow to dry. Wipe once again with damp rags to remove the powder lresidue left by the acid, and again allow to dry. You're now ready to sand, restain, and refinish.
In your initial sanding after bleaching, you may need to wear a dust mask (probably should in any instance). The oxalic acid powder left behind is a mild irritant to the nasal passages - if you have respiratory problems, take care.