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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/roblewood outdoor table stain removal

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Expert: - 5/9/2011


Question
Hi John,

I have an outdoor roblewood table which has never been treated or stained. The wood has turned
a silvery colour which is natural I believe however the table top was badly stained with oil from a deepfryer. Is there any way to remove the oil stain..either by chemicals or sanding. Assuming I can get rid of the oil stain, is there any product I could use to stain the table back to the honey colour it was when I originally purchased it?

Answer
Hi Mandy, fryer oil will soak in pretty deep I'm afraid on an unfinished, dry top like that...the silver color is natural weathering and to return it to a brown color will require some work. You'll notice when the table is wet...it reverts back to a darker color, so you can sand it smooth and evenly and then use something like Teak oil on it, a few coats with a day or two in between coats.There are products designed to chemically clean and change the color back, used to renew decking before refinishing, as well, and they will also clean the surface, perhaps removing or at least lessening the oil damage.Thye will also raise the grain and require further prep before applying the Teak oil...here is an example:

http://www.wolman.com/product_detail.asp?ProductID=5
The only way to know if it would work, is to apply it as per the manufacturers directions and see....hope that helps a little- post back if need be- regards, Greg  

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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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