linseed oil stains on teak deck

[gag]

Any ideas how to remove large linseed oil stains from teak decks?

Have tried oxalic acid twice, increasing the mix the second time with no difference.

Even scrubbed with hot water and detergent.

Any ideas would be welcome. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[BrendanS]

Just leave it for a season. Will disappear of it's own accord

 

[Captain Coochie]

Like Brendan says but i bet the scrubbing you have done will stay for years /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[gag]

That was what I thought at first and that was 2 years ago!!

 

[gag]

Aye maybe 'scrubbing' was a bit of an exaggeration - did do some reading up first!

 

[BrendanS]

I'd go the other route then, and give it a good clean, then linseed the whole lot lightly, then it can all weather at the same rate.

Most treatments are surface, and the linseed will be in the timber.

 

[Forbsie]

[ QUOTE ]
Oil stains can be removed from decks - in the vicinity of filing-tanks, etc - by mixing lime and water into a stiff paste and daubing the disfiguring patch. When dry the lime will have turned yellow in absorbing the oil and a clean deck will be left under it when it is scrubbed off.

[/ QUOTE ]

From Motor Cruising by John Irving & Others - 1934

May also work for Linseed oil, but never tried it.

 

[gag]

cheers for that -I'll give it a try

 

[deadsquirrel]

silly question but how can lime and water create a 'stiff paste'?

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

lime powder..... evil stuff though....

 

[claudio]

Building lime is like plaster, not lime and soda

 

[Captain Coochie]

Not that i know for sure but i think building lime will turn your deck white . It turns lathes in older buildings white so im just thinking it will do the same to your deck .

 

[claudio]

I'm sure that I read somewhere that lime is used to breakdown fats into a soapy residue. Isn't it used in the manufacture of bio diesel where chip fat is turned into soap and diesel ?

 

[Captain Coochie]

Could well be . I do know it burns like hell if you get it on your skin !

 

[BrendanS]

you are probably thinking of lye, which is sodium (or potassium) hydroxide, formed from lime (Calcium oxide) and soda ash or potash.

Lime itself wouldn't be any where near as good

 

[claudio]

It is highly corrosive and needs to be handled with care.(similar to caustic soda). I've used it to make up whitewash (for masonary). Avoid contact with metals as it attacks them too.
I would test it on a sample of scrap teak before trying it on the deck. Just 'dab' the stain and not the surrounding timber. Wash all residue off with plenty of water afterwards.