Replies

1. 
   peter28 | Jul 05, 2006 11:11pm | #1

   Gary,

   Can you give me a little more information? Do you know what the topcoat of the table is? What wood is it? What color is the stain in relation to it's surroundings?

   My gut feeling is there may have been an alcohol soluble dye on the flower. These types of dyes can and do penetrate some surface coatings.

   Let me know.

   Peter Gedrys

1. 
   GaryW | Jul 05, 2006 11:58pm | #2

   Peter,

   It's a store-bought coffee table, so I don't know the finish material, although it looks like lacquer, and I can't identify the wood (I think the table is foreign made). The wood is light colored, possibly with a light colored stain under or in the finish's topcoat. The stain from the lei is like a blush, but I'm too color-blind to identify the color.

   Your guess that it's an alcohol based dye may be correct, but wouldn't that mean the table's topcoat is also alcohol based? I wouldn't think alcohol based dyes could penetrate most common clear coats, like lacquer, polyurethanes, or oil based varnishes. Gary W

   gwwoodworking.com

1. 
   peter28 | Jul 06, 2006 04:51am | #3

   Gary

   It doesn't sound like a stain from dye. To me it sounds like there may have been some water in the flower and the moisture from it penetrated  the finish and is trapped under the surface.

   Try making a small pad or a bob with a cotton ball or two for the core. Wrap it with a very fine cloth like muslin and add a few drops of denatured alcohol to it.Tap it against your hand to disperse the alcohol in the pad. You want it to be cool and damp, not wet.

   Using a pendulum motion, lightly go back and forth over the offending area for about six strokes. Count to ten and do it again. The goal is to get the surface active enough to release the moisture. You may have to do this multiple times. Just be very careful because this, if done with a heavy hand, can " burn " or lift the finish.

   In all probability, this is some type of lacquer finish and I've used this method with success. Just don't try and get it all in one shot.

   I've also used dyes in a padding fashion to easily penetrate a lacquer finish.

   Good luck

   Peter Gedrys-

    

    

    

    

    

1. 
   GaryW | Jul 06, 2006 06:53am | #4

   Thanks, Peter, for taking the time to answer. I'll try your suggestion this weekend and let you know the results.Gary W

   gwwoodworking.com

2. 
   GaryW | Jul 17, 2006 07:09pm | #5

   Hi Peter,

   Finally, late last night after returning from Santa Barbara, I tried your method to remove the stain from the tabletop. After working at it for about a half hour I saw no visible results. The stain isn't small. It's about a 10-in-diameter half circle swath, which is about 3/4-inch wide - the size of the lei. Unless we come up with a solution, we've resolved to turn the table and put an potted orchid over the offensive spot.

   So, if you think of another trick, please let us know.

   Thanks for your help, 

    Gary W

   gwwoodworking.com