Expert: Eileen Cronk - 5/15/2008

Question
Hello Eileen,

I'm starting to understand that the answer to my question might not be as straightforward as I hoped - varnishes et al are very complicated!

My 1903 Craftsman house has what my kitchen designer identified as (probably) yellow pine moulding and door frames in the dining and living rooms. My son, eager to help with my wallpaper removal/plaster repair/finishing project, sprayed a white vinegar-water solution on the wallpaper to soften it, which worked like a charm. Unfortunately, he wasn't careful about wiping dry all the woodwork with each spritz and, as a result, the woodwork (in the dining room only, thankfully) is badly splotched and stained.

I don't know what kind of finish is on the wood except that it's very dark - almost black - and looks polished. To date, I have only cleaned it with Murphy's oil soap and carefully, immediately wiped it dry. This hasn't made any difference.

I'd appreciate your suggestions for next steps.

Linden

Answer
Hi Linden
Nice to hear from you.
This should be a fairly easy fix and it really does not matter what the finish is but it sounds like varnish.
As with anything like this we try, testing is a must but this process will not in any way harm your wood work.
So get one of those tiny cans of Minwax stain in a dark color ..possibly the Special Walnut color.
Simply dip a rag in the stain and rub the splotched area.
I cannot imagine the vinegar actually harmed the finish but harmed its sheen so this should fix it.
You can also apply over the stain (when its dry), a light coat of tung oil. This is also rubbed on with a rag.
Tung oil comes in gloss or semi so pick the sheen closest.
But do your test.
Now I'm just going to add one more thought here as I want this to come out right.
When I say the vinegar harmed the sheen, it could be that this woodwork has been loving waxed over the years..(even the Murphys leaves a wax like residue) and its actually this that has been damaged.
So you could first try a rag dipped in mineral spirits...easiest and cheapest too.
This will remove all wax residue and maybe the marks. Follow mineral spirits with a light waxing if sucessful.
So two options for you Linden.
Keep me posted.
Regards
Eileen
PS..just so you know, the Minwax stain rubbed on in this fashion will actually remove any wax residue as you rub it on so don't think you are applying stain over wax..well you are in a way but you get the idea LOL.