I began refinishing an old solid walnut drop leaf table
a while ago. After sanding the top some motor oil got spilled on it.
I am looking for suggestions on how to remove the oil that
has soaked into the wood. The spot is about 5″ in diameter.
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Replies
I'd use repeated, liberal applications of naphtha; flood on, wipe off using new rags each time. Naphtha is a great deal more flammable than regular mineral spirits, so be careful.
There is a product used by gunsmiths that soaks up oil from wood gun stocks. Check out http://www.brownells.com
It's a paste if I remember right that dries and leaches out the oil. I have no idea how fast it works.
ASAP I would flush the surface many times with liberal amounts of mineral spirits since oil will be sucked further into the wood the longer it is allowed to sit on the surface.
edit: here's the stuff http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=1133&title=OLD%20FASHIONED%20WHITING
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
Edited 10/8/2008 11:29 am ET by IdahoDon
Cover the entire table with oil and then wipe off with mineral spirits. You just found a new finish!
(The above is meant a a joke and/or a suggestion of last resort)
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