Bleaching Wood Before the Varnish

[narcer]

Hi,

Just about at the point to bleach a wooden mast before varnishing. I have in the past used various forms of oxalic acid eg teak wonder or similar. However before I never thought about neutralising the stuff once it´s inside the wood ? Has anyone gone this route before ? Obviously I don´t want to soak it with water, as it´s nicely dried out now.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[VicS]

The instructions from AG Woodcare are to wash with water or meths .

My "Woodworkers Pocket Book" (Charles H Hayward, ISBN 0 237 35195 1) suggests wiping with a solution of borax, (1oz/½gallon), before washing with water and drying.

 

[xtiffer]

Alcohol a bruler or meths I think is the way to go.
If you have the same weather as I do then water is not a problem. Dries in quick time.
Only problem (with water) is that it raises the grain but I would guess that you will be sanding it anyway.
Cheers,
Chris

 

[narcer]

Hi,

Right now the wood has been sanded back with P80 - so before I continue with P120 maybe now is a good moment for cleaning. If the grain does come up then the 120 will flatten it back nicely I would have thought.

That sounds good - I´ve got some de-natured alcohol which will do the "rinse" maybe after wiping it off with a wet sponge.

Cheers, John

 

[tillergirl]

I shouldn't be too paranoid about it. I used white spirit after repeated oxalic acid applications (and a final 120 rub down) on this spinny pole about 6 years ago and there has been no adverse reaction - as you can see.

 

[Twister_Ken]

The instructions from AG Woodcare are to wash with water or meths .

My "Woodworkers Pocket Book" (Charles H Hayward, ISBN 0 237 35195 1) suggests wiping with a solution of borax, (1oz/½gallon), before washing with water and drying.

The borax will be anti-fungal, rather than bleaching.