How to Remove Wood Stain?
DIY Furniture Repair
After stripping the finish from a piece of furniture, you may discover that the wood still has unsightly stains or that the color is still not what you want. Dark water stains or ink stains are common problems in old furniture. Such stains may be considered part of a piece's charm, but you may still want to diminish them so they are less noticeable.
Other furniture, once stripped, can still contain original dye stains that have penetrated deep into the wood, leaving it too dark or splotchy looking. Unless you want to refinish these pieces in a dark finish to hide the old stain, you'll have to lighten the wood surface to a more even color. Removing these stains can be best achieved by bleaching the wood.
Ordinary liquid chlorine bleach will work as a furniture stain remover, but it's better to use a commercial two-part wood bleach, which is a stronger solution. You can find two-part wood bleach at a well-stocked hardware, paint store, or home center. When using bleaches to remove wood stain, be sure to follow all safety procedures, such as wearing rubber gloves, using safety glasses, and wearing a protective apron. Remember that a strong bleach solution will not only bleach color from anything it touches but can also burn your skin. If bleach comes into contact with your skin, immediately wash it well with water.
After the wood has been thoroughly bleached, don't sand it until it has been neutralized, as sanding dust can be hazardous, acting as an irritant to your nose, throat, and lungs. It's always a good idea to wear a dust mask when sanding wood that has been bleached. Whether you want to remove wood stain individually or lighten an entire piece, do all heavy sanding before bleaching.
To remove wood stain individually, apply bleach with a nylon-bristle artist's brush or a cotton-tipped swab, confining the bleach to the stained area only. Follow the bleaching procedure described below on these areas, and then bleach the entire piece to blend these lightened spots with the surrounding surface.
Bleaching Wood Stains
Commercial wood bleaches come in two parts, with specific instructions for their use. Some wood bleaches require that the two parts of the solution be kept separate; mixing them can cause strong reactions. With this type of wood bleach, you apply part A to the wood and then apply part B on top of it while the first application is still wet. When part B mixes with part A the solution is activated, causing a white foaming action on the wood surface. Other wood bleaches require that parts A and B be mixed together just prior to application.
When buying and using a commercial furniture stain remover such as wood bleaches, read and follow the instructions carefully for the particular product you are using. The following general instructions are for using a two-part wood bleach that must be mixed together prior to applying it to wood. The instructions can also be followed when using regular household bleach to remove wood stain or lighten wood, excluding the mixing of part A and part B.
Tools and Materials
• wood bleach
• protective gloves, clothing, and equipment
• synthetic sponge
• vinegar and water
• 220-grit sandpaper or finer
• dust mask
1) Scrub the surface
After checking label directions to be certain parts A and B are to be mixed together before using, pour equal amounts of the solutions into a plastic container. Wearing gloves, protective glasses, and an apron, liberally apply the bleach solution to the wood's surface using a synthetic household sponge. Make sure that any area of the wood that needs bleaching is saturated. If possible, turn the surface to be bleached horizontally to avoid runs. Be careful not to let the bleach run onto or make contact with any part of the wood that you don't want to bleach to avoid light spots or streaks. Try to wet the area to be bleached as evenly as possible and let it soak for at least 4 hours. Check back over the first 5 minutes or so to clean up any drips or runs.
2) Neutralize the bleach
After the bleach has worked and the area has dried, examine the wood to see whether it's sufficiently lightened. If not, apply another coat of bleach and allow it to work for another 4 or 5 hours. After completing the bleaching process, use a white vinegar-and-water solution to neutralize the bleach. Mix one part white vinegar with three parts water, and apply the solution to the bleached surface using a clean sponge.
3) Sand the area
After the wood is completely dry, light-sand the surface with fine sandpaper (220-grit or finer). Make sure you wear a dust mask. Don't sand heavily, or you might cut through the bleached surface to darker wood below. The purpose of sanding is just to smooth any wood grain that the bleaching process has raised. All heavy sanding should have been done prior to bleaching.
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Source: B.Hingley
