I was making more Sungka or Mancala Boards.
The timber was some recycled cable drum sides.
It had the usual nail holes and that was not a problem as I could easly plug them up and almost disquise them.
What was more important to me was the removal of the iron nail stains.
So I mixed up some Oxalic Acid and applied it to the iron stain marks, sure enough it removed them no worries.
However I noticed the area I treated now had a pinkish tinge to it after the acid had dryed.
As I was not being sure how I could remove this I thought I would open it up to the "Brains Trust" for an opinion or a possible answer.
Here is the raw board.
Now some close up shots of some of the effected areas.
Its possible its only a surface stain and will sand out, I guess I will find out one way or the other.
I will have to remember to be a bit more skillful and contain the the area needing treatment rather than "slap" it on everywhere!
Meanwhile I have a plan to use some Swamp Gum as a contingency plan.
I thought at first perhaps the spotted bits of color were part of some decoration. Rather than dyeing the whole board pink, perhaps you need morecolors.
The internet seems to think that pink stains can be removed by sodium hydroxide, too. Perhaps that's worth a try if you're not looking for bold colors.
Apparently the application of a borax solution will neutralize the acid. Mix 2 tablespoons of borax in a quart of water and apply. Then rinse with water and let dry. That is the instruction I found. I have no experience with it. I assume the borax is available in a grocery store.
That is how we learn to try new things on a test piece first. LOL
Did you rinse the OX off after the application? I have only used it on teak on a boat but it usually it lightens the wood instead of darkening it and is neutralized by washing off. Simple baking soda should neutralize the acid if you think you need to do that. Sodium hydroxide it pretty strong so be careful if you us that.
Now you probably need to treat the whole board with the acid (and rinse) or apply some other color to cover it up.
OK thanks guys, ... lots of ways to tackle the problem.
Dave:- Re colour/ Sodium Hydroxide
bilyo:- Borax Solution
xeddog:- Bleach Solution
LesB:- Test piece first! Rinse off/Baking Soda/Sodium hydroxide
In order of proirity this is what I am going to do
1. Simplly rinse off with plain water.
2. Bakiing Soda (borax) and water.
Then using some test pieces conduct some mad Professor test solutions using,
3. Diluted bleach.
4. Sodium hydroxide.
If all of those suggestions fail I will just sand them and see if that removes it.
Otherwise as Dave and LBD suggested Dye them.
As they are a messy and time consuming item to make I didnt want to spend too much time on each one, however looks like its a going to be necessary now.
Thank you all for your input I will respond with an update upon a satisfactory resolution.
I am aligned with the camp that thinks it is probably a pH issue. I would try a solution of baking soda first. The borax is also a great suggestion. Reserve the lye treatment for your clogged sink drains. On the other hand, this is a piece of re-purposed cable drum. Perhaps a nice DARK stain or dye would conceal the pink color, or maybe a nice , thick coat of paint.
Bondo, Yep agree, sometimes it dosn't pay to use recycled timber, mind you I am happy experimenting with the activity. A plaid cutting board is next!
corelz125, Definately not any of LBDs liquid, all my own doing …and still looking for the meaning of life!! I have run out of ideas just at the moment, ...wondering if the sheep may be the best answer.
I don't know what this means and It may not contribute to a solution but looking at your photos again, it appears that there is an old nail hole in the center of each stain. Is there any way to re-cut your pieces from fresh wood and avoid any nail holes?
After re-reading your post, I see that you already recognized this. Just ignore the above.
rc, you know me… always willing to provide unbiased meaningfull advice… use the peroxide to bleach your hair purple and then you can wear the pink Sunjka as ear rings… otherwise if you thing this is PHuie… listen to all those amateurs!
Why is everyone against pink?
Sheesh, for all of the work you are putting into this, next time start with a cleaner piece of wood.
- bondogapos
OK believe it or not I gave up on the Oxalic Acid fix.
So it was into the trenches and on with the battle.
Instead of plugging all the nail holes I bogged them up it was getting all to time consuming.
Then I sanded the surfaces profiled the edges, followed by just a tad more sanding
I found some Jarrah Stain and restained them.
Next I will apply the final finish and hopefully I am done, otherewise Ii am running up the white flag on this one and opening the Otto Bin.
A hint,
If you look at the left hand board No 4 bowl top row and last right hand one right near the dust mask strap you can just make out the Oxalic acid stains, mind you they are now less obvious, however I wasnt taking any chances.
The Feast Watson Jarrah restain disguised them completly.
Restained meaning as going from LBD's shirt example to the final Jarah finish, its not something I wanted to do but I was loosing patience with to rework activities.
Welcome to the forum, Povage.
The pieces you see are all wood, not leather. What are you working on ?
Can we see some of your projects ?
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