I can sure use some help on what might have happen to one of my recent cutting board projects. Have used
this design several times and have only just learned an unfortunate lesson – please help !
16x 22×2″ – end-grain Oak with Black Walnut accent strip (also end-grain).
Standard assembly and prep: glue up in sections, alternating joints, surfacing and finish with MINERAL OIL.
This particular puzzle invovles the pattern that has formed in the surface as a result of applying the ‘initial’ mineral
oil coat. I (for whatever reason) poured some of the oil onto the surface with a circular motion before distributing the oil
over the surface. Initial pour could not have been left alone for more that 10 seconds. YET the circular pattern of
that intial pour is pronouced in the finish ! Tried applying addition coats, but circle pattern is still visibile.
Went so far as to remove about 1/8 inch of the thicknes and STILL the pattern appears prominient. The top surface is on it’s
way to being the BOTTOM of the board, but would like some ideas on what might have happened here, and is there a ‘fix’.
Tried denatured alcohol, as well as removal of material but the picture you see attached is AFTER both of these attempts.
Replies
Cutting Board Puzzle
Maybe this red oak was air-dried and the other ones you made used klin-dried wood, where the cell structure of the wood was collapsed as a result of the klin drying -- just a thought.
Oil
Try using a household iron on top of a cloth or paper towels and the heat will bring up the oil into the rags
SA
I may give this a try for sure. Can't see that it will hurt.
As indicated above, this gift will be in re-design shortly.
I'll look to this as a learning experience. If the iron idea works, i'll be sure to let you know.
Thanks.
Cutting Board
Hopefully you can draw up the oil. A couple of other thoughts are paint remover, or putting baking soda over the areas to soak up the oil.
SA
Solved
Well the iron over the swirled surface seems to have done the trick. Used a damp rag, and med-high heat from household
iron over the area. It really didn't seem to be working, but i went over the area twice, damping the rag each time.
The swirl was still visible, but the grain had raised, quite a bit, so i knocked it down with my random orbital.
After re-applying a new coat of mineral oil, to the rag FIRST this time, the color seemed to even out !! Let it dry and
low and behold, no swirl marks !
Have already started another board using Edge Grain Curly maple instead of the oak.
Thanks for all your inputs/ideas. I will keep the baking soda idea handy for future reference as well.
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