Replies

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 11, 2005 12:36am | #1

   What did you use to wipe it up -- after you discovered it? Was it a big blob, or little splatters?

   ********************************************************
   "I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
   -- Herb Caen (1916-1997)

1. 
   cwaltner | Jun 11, 2005 12:52am | #2

   I use a damp towel and wiped up all I could . It was already partially set and was just one blob, about 1 inch wide by 2 inch long. The edge of it is very uneven, though, with splatter tendrils jutting out in places.

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 19, 2005 07:49pm | #4

   I didn't respond because I did not have a ready solution to to the problem.I am guessing that the dark spot ( beneather the plaster blob), was moisture, and now that it has a chance to dry out over a couple of weeks, it is not so pronounced. Is that what happened?********************************************************
   "I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
   -- Herb Caen (1916-1997)

2. 
   jazzdogg | Jun 11, 2005 04:16am | #3

   If the desk isn't too old, and hasn't had too much exposure to sunlight, you may be able to repair just the damaged area. However, the good news is that, since it's an oil finish, even if you have to refinish the entire top, it won't be too terribly daunting - just lots of elbow grease - and far easier than if it had been varnished.

   Can you post a photograph that shows the damage in context? 

   -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

3. 
   bridger | Jun 22, 2005 08:23am | #5

   plaster is a pretty strong alkalai and will make an ugly stain on a lot of woods. it's easy to reverse by applying an acid. go slow, start with a small amount of hcl (swimming pool acid) on a qtip. it may be tricky getting the whole surface uniform, but the acit will deal with the worst of the plaster stain.

1. 
   cwaltner | Jun 22, 2005 07:54pm | #7

   Thank you so much. That was just the info I was looking for. But not familar with swimming pool acid. Is that just the bottles they add to the water to maintain the right pH? Something I can get at any pool supplies or Home Depot? Or is it is something used in building pools? Would juice from a lemon or orange also provide similar effect?

2. 
   HowardAcheson | Jun 23, 2005 03:32am | #12

   The bleach used for removing stains in wood caused by water and chemicals in water is oxalic acid.  Most paint stores will have it.  You can also get it at any marine supply store.  Look for teak cleaner.  Teak cleaner is oxalic acid.Howie.........

1. 
   bridger | Jun 23, 2005 04:45am | #13

   hydrochloric acid, also known by the trade name of muriatic acid, is used as an etchant for masonry materials and as a PH modifier for swimming pool water. in concentrated doses it's nasty stuff:
   http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/HY/hydrochloric_acid.html
   but with some care it's possible to use safely. the fumes are toxic and very noxious; good ventilation is necessary. it gets alkalai stains out of wood quickly and permanently.oxalic acid is sold as a bleach for wood. in concentrated doses it's nasty stuff:
   http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/o6044.htm
   it has the nasty property of passing right through your skin and binding to the calcium in your bones, dissolving it. the active ingredient in vinegar is acetic acid. in concentrated doses it's nasty stuff:
   http://www.sciencestuff.com/msds/C1121.html
   but at the 1% to 2% found in grocery store vinegar it's safe to eat. go figure....

4. 
   DANL | Jun 22, 2005 03:25pm | #6

   I was going to say something like what "bridger" said, only I was thinking white vinegar instead of pool acid. (Most people have vinegar around the house and may not have pool cleaner and I think vinegar may be a little gentler to start with.)

1. 
   cwaltner | Jun 22, 2005 07:55pm | #8

   Great. Thanks. That was my question to Bridger>>didn't have "swimming pool acid" and not sure exactly what it was. Do have vinegar, though.

1. 
   DANL | Jun 22, 2005 11:42pm | #9

   Yeah, I'd try it (vinegar)--it's pretty mild as far as acids go, shouldn't get you into tooo much trouble. If it's not strong enough, you can ramp up to pool cleaner or muriatic (used to clean mortar off bricks). Besides, if Heloise (as in "Hints from Heloise") recommends it, it must be good!

1. 
   cwaltner | Jun 23, 2005 12:19am | #10

   Hey, gave it a test and its working! Thanks to all for savig my beautiful desk!

1. 
   DANL | Jun 23, 2005 01:05am | #11

   Glad it worked! I was hoping you'd tell us how it turned out.