Engine oil spilt onto bare wood: how to get rid of it?

[Poignard]

I've managed to spill some lub oil onto some plywood and mahogany that had been stripped ready for varnishing. It has soaked in.

How can I remove it?

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Spray with a good kitchen degreaser (I use Chante Clair but any will do) and rinse copiously with clean water.
However, if most of the surface has been covered with oil you could give a couple of coats with white spirit to dilute the oil and allow it to soak into the wood. Once it has been absorbed you can proceed with the varnish. Note that this will only work with traditional alkyd varnish but not with polyurethanes.

 

[Poignard]

How about Mr Muscle?

The varnish I'm using is Epifanes Rapidcoat

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Should be no problem with Rapidcoat. I use Rapidclear and it is very similar in that both are modified alkyd/urethane. In fact I still dilute the first coat with white spirit, even though they say that this is unnecessary. Both Rapidcoat and Rapidclear are recommended for 'oily woods' anyway!

I am not familiar with Mr Muscle but, if it is used as a kitchen degreaser (not kitchen sink unblocker) it should be ok. (Sink unblockers are usually more aggressive and might damage the wood). If unsure, go the white spirit route

 

[bigwow]

I've had success using a brake cleaner aerosol for removing grease from wood in the past.

 

[Babylon]

Instead of soaking in more chemical smellies, find an oil industry citrus based cleaning product. What I used when my old Bukh vomitted oil everywhere.

 

[Poignard]

Thanks for the suggestions. Much appreciated :encouragement:

 

[[70521]]

I purchased "Bilge Cleaner" from Gaelforce and that made short work of cleaning a really manky bilge. Use wearing gloves or your skin will be stripped of all natural oils.

 

[Concerto]

In the restoration of antique furniture, after all cleaning has been done, the affected area is soaked with methylated spirit and immediately burnt off. This kills any final residual oils ready for varnishing.

 

[tudorsailor]

I've managed to spill some lub oil onto some plywood and mahogany that had been stripped ready for varnishing. It has soaked in.

How can I remove it?

I have been using K2R to remove stains from the teak deck - such as dropped crisps, olives or sun dried tomatoes. Brilliant stuff. I am sure it would help with oil. Shame it comes in such small tins
I usually buy from Amazon

TudorSailor