Replies

1. 
   SgianDubh | Jul 26, 2004 12:39pm | #1

   I'm almost certain the products you say you finished the job with in the first place are an oil based varnish Frank, but a thinned out one.

   I suspect the water damage (white spots) was caused by water standing on the finish for some time causing it (the finish) to break down and whiten.

   Without seeing the piece my instinct is to suggest the best option is to strip it and start the finishing process again. I know you are aware of the methylene chloride strippers because of your comments in the current danish oil thread.

   This is the stuff I'd use to get all the old varnish off, using the type neutralised with mineral spirits, not water. One advantage of chemical strippers is that they don't change the colour of the underlying wood significantly, i.e., the colour change of your cherry item that's occurred over time will remain. You simply polish from new.

   Sanding, scraping, etc., all the old finish off will expose new lighter coloured wood, and the result will probably be patchy. Whilst the colour will subsequently even out fairly quickly I understand you want to retain the existing colour as much as possible. The chemical stripper will almost certainly best achieve this.

   Between stripping and refinishing with varnish again it wouldn't hurt to apply a single coat of a dewaxed shellac to act as a barrier coat. It's most tolerant of impurities underneath such as stripper residue not properly removed with mineral spirits.

   If the shellac has a problem getting a grip it's easy to remove with a bit of alcohol allowing you to go back and properly neutralise any stripper residue with mineral spirits and a scrubbing brush/wire wool/nylon abrasive pad. This light abrasion shouldn't remove enough wood to expose fresh lighter coloured wood either. Slainte.

   RJFurniture

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Jul 26, 2004 07:02pm | #2

   Yup, I agree with Richard.  The water has gotten under the finish and is most likely in the wood.  Are the spots white or black?

   BTW, the Formby's is a thinned wiping varnish while the Minwax is an oil/varnish mixture.  Basicly different products.  The former is a film finish while the latter is a penetrating oil finish.  Neither contain any real tung oil.

   Howie.........
1. 
   Biscardi | Jul 26, 2004 07:31pm | #3

   Richard,

   Thanks as always for good advice. I will give it a try and see how it comes out.

   Frank

   Howie,

   The spots are white. There are some black spots underneath where it sat in water.

   Thanks,

   Frank

1. 
   Alan | Jul 26, 2004 11:28pm | #4

   Frank,

   Before stripping the whole thing, try using 0000 steel wool and some mineral spirits on the white spots.

   White spots usually mean the water is in the finish (black spots usually mean the water is in the wood).  The idea is to use the wool to get down where the moisture can evaporate easily.  Easy does it.  Make sure all the wax is gone--it is just possible the spots are in the wax, or just beneath it--and abrade the surface just a bit.  Then let it sit for at least a week.

   If it doesn't work you've lost nothing but a little time.  You can always strip it later.

   Alan

2. 
   BG | Jul 27, 2004 02:10am | #5

   Biscardi,

   With white spots, start with mild and go to stronger..the most mild is oil (any kind, vegtable) and pot ash (ashes from the fireplace) ie. soap....rub the area in circles..the more you rub the stronger the soap gets...

   Edited 7/26/2004 7:12 pm ET by BG