Repair oak water stain?

[macleod92]

I was hoping to get some advice on the best way to repair some water damage that was done to an end table which I made.
It’s built out of a 100 year old oak door from my parents old house therefore I’m particularly keen to sort it.
It has a piece of glass on top of it which normally protects it. But my partner spilt some water on it while I was away on a job and she didn’t realise.

I would just sand it down but it has a rough texture (I think from sand blasting) that I was hoping to preserve.
If I have to sand it down that’s fine, I just thought I’d get some advice.

Thanks in advance!

 

[baldkev]

Hi, a couple of options spring to mind.... 1, apply water everywhere
2 oxalic acid.....

The water option may not give a good / consistent appearance, but its a low impact test, in that you arent changing the feel of the surface of the wood.

The oxalic acid ( rhubarb ) will basically bring the oak up like 'new' ( this
Is slighly dependent on the previously applied finish, as in if it can soak in to the surface, but clearly the water did )

Or sand the top back and wet it to bring up the grain a bit?

 

[mrpercysnodgrass]

I would give it a light sanding first with some 240grit sandpaper then apply a solution of oxalic acid and scrub it into the wood with a nylon scourer then leave overnight, wash off with plenty of fresh water and allow to dry. You can get oxalic acid in crystal form in small quantities very cheaply or you can buy Liberon wood bleacher which is already made up in liquid form and is very good. Liberon Wood Bleacher - Stain Remover - 125ml, 500ml and 5 Litre

 

[Superduner]

You might have some luck with "Bar Keepers Friend" cleaner We use it on our oak worktops to remove black rings caused usually by cast iron pots. Your stains don't look very deep, so you might be lucky, and it's a great cleaner for other stuff too. The powder version works best.
Available from the South American river!

 

[Superduner]

I've just checked and Bar Keepers Friend is mainly citric acid. I've also got some of this STARWAX FABULOUS Sorrel Salt - 400g - Ideal for Bleaching Wood and Eliminating Rust Stains which is oxalic acid. As stated above, it also works very well.

 

[recipio]

Based on experience I would try 'Rustins Ring Remover' first. Whatever it contains it works quite well. Just don't use steel wool on the oak for obvious reasons.