wood finish stained white by water
 

We have a old wooden dressing table. I over-filled a plant pot standing on
it, and some of the water ran out of the saucer and lay for a few day under
a hand mirror.

Where the water lay, it has turned the wood finish a milky white.

Would be very grateful for any advice to remove this white stain please.
Many thanks.

"jwiiiiiiiiiiiiii" wrote in message
...
We have a old wooden dressing table. I over-filled a plant pot standing on
it, and some of the water ran out of the saucer and lay for a few day
under a hand mirror.

Where the water lay, it has turned the wood finish a milky white.


Misty says to use mayonaise
http://www.wtol.com/global/story.asp?s=1632149

The finish should return on its own if you leave it uncovered so the
moisture can escape. I would give it at least two weeks before tryimg
anything that could make it worse.
--

Too much is not enough!
rvojtash NOT THIS at comcast (dot) net

"Ray V" wrote in message
...
"jwiiiiiiiiiiiiii" wrote in message
...
We have a old wooden dressing table. I over-filled a plant pot standing
on
it, and some of the water ran out of the saucer and lay for a few day
under a hand mirror.

Where the water lay, it has turned the wood finish a milky white.


Misty says to use mayonaise
http://www.wtol.com/global/story.asp?s=1632149

The finish should return on its own if you leave it uncovered so the
moisture can escape. I would give it at least two weeks before tryimg
anything that could make it worse.
--

Might return pretty much in color, but you've run water through the finish
into the wood, and it'll stand up a bit under the finish unless you are
lucky and had a real good water set before final finish. Warning - if you
use an abrasive on it, it might flake off and look ugly. Oil rub to darken
it - mayo is oil and egg - and live with the swollen fibers.

On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 09:07:54 GMT, "jwiiiiiiiiiiiiii"
wrote:

We have a old wooden dressing table. I over-filled a plant pot standing on
it, and some of the water ran out of the saucer and lay for a few day under
a hand mirror.

Where the water lay, it has turned the wood finish a milky white.

Would be very grateful for any advice to remove this white stain please.
Many thanks.


Water has seeped under the finish. A dab of mayonnaise and soft cloth
should help.

"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 09:07:54 GMT, "jwiiiiiiiiiiiiii"
wrote:

We have a old wooden dressing table. I over-filled a plant pot standing on
it, and some of the water ran out of the saucer and lay for a few day
under
a hand mirror.

Where the water lay, it has turned the wood finish a milky white.

Would be very grateful for any advice to remove this white stain please.
Many thanks.


Water has seeped under the finish. A dab of mayonnaise and soft cloth
should help.

thanks for the suggestions. left it for two weeks as advised, but very
little change. then applied mayonnaise (hellermans) leaving it on thickly
for a day. but sad to say no real change. any other thoughts gratefully
received. thanks

On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 19:52:32 GMT, "jw 11111"
wrote:

Water has seeped under the finish. A dab of mayonnaise and soft cloth
should help.

thanks for the suggestions. left it for two weeks as advised, but very
little change. then applied mayonnaise (hellermans) leaving it on thickly
for a day. but sad to say no real change. any other thoughts gratefully
received.

It's more likely "on" than "under" which would darken the wood. From
the sounds of it, ["it's been there a few days"], it might be deep
enough to cause a major refinishing.

If close to the surface [it's in the finish, top layer] a VERY mild
abrasion might do the trick. E.G. salt in veggie oil, rub *lightly*
with a pad or finger in a cloth. E.G a mild abrasive like toothpaste
....rub on wipe off. Some recommend 0000 steel wool ..again applied
very lightly, then rewaxing. I'd use water paper rather than steel
wool if going that way.

First, take a good look with a raking light. If the surface of the finish
looks porous, you would need to refinish that area. If not, see if you can
identify the finish. If it's very old, might even be shellac. Try warming the
area with a hair dryer (note: warm, not-not hot), and try a cloth ball with
just a little denatured alcohol, rubbing around the area and a firm pressure.
Even if it's not shellac, the alcohol may help. Just keep the pad clean.
GerryG

On Tue, 01 Mar 2005 19:52:32 GMT, "jw 11111"
wrote:


"Phisherman" wrote in message
.. .
On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 09:07:54 GMT, "jwiiiiiiiiiiiiii"
wrote:

We have a old wooden dressing table. I over-filled a plant pot standing on
it, and some of the water ran out of the saucer and lay for a few day
under
a hand mirror.

Where the water lay, it has turned the wood finish a milky white.

Would be very grateful for any advice to remove this white stain please.
Many thanks.


Water has seeped under the finish. A dab of mayonnaise and soft cloth
should help.

thanks for the suggestions. left it for two weeks as advised, but very
little change. then applied mayonnaise (hellermans) leaving it on thickly
for a day. but sad to say no real change. any other thoughts gratefully
received. thanks

"GerryG" wrote in message
...
First, take a good look with a raking light. If the surface of the finish
looks porous, you would need to refinish that area. If not, see if you can
identify the finish. If it's very old, might even be shellac. Try warming
the
area with a hair dryer (note: warm, not-not hot), and try a cloth ball
with
just a little denatured alcohol, rubbing around the area and a firm
pressure.
Even if it's not shellac, the alcohol may help. Just keep the pad clean.
GerryG



tried the hairdryer no joy. tried the toothpaste and bingo! success.
many thanks to y'all. my life will now be spared, since this is the wife's
old but much loved dressingtable. thanks again. john west