Remove damp marks

[granneb]

Hello

Would be interested in any advice regarding the removal of the common complaint of black damp marks usually found in Traveller wood.
It's not serious and I could live with it, but if any method is only partially successful then I'd like to give it a try.

[bmcecosse]

Obviously you need to remove all the horrible old varnish - which has trapped moisture in there. Then dry the timber, and treat with oxalic acid (some use citric acid) - then treat all the timber several times with Cuprinol 5 star - and finally I oiled mine with teak oil. Important to make sure the drain holes on the side pieces just below the side windows are all clear - and remain clear after the oiling.

[ASL642]

N.B. If you do use wood bleach make sure you mask your paintwork carefully as it can mark. I use cotton buds dipped in Cuprinol 5 in the waist rail holes. If the buds are a bit "thin" wind an bit more cotton wool around so they are a snug fit, and leave in place for 24 hours so the oil soaks in. Danish Oil is another alternative to Teak oil - just depends on how dark you wish the final finish

[granneb]

Many thanks for the replies and the advice

[aupickup]

lemon juice

[granneb]

Spent the last few days following the good advice on here, removed the varnish, lemon juiced the marks, sanded down, five coats of cuprinol and then two coats of teak oil.
As I'm idling my time away on the above, thoughts came, why cuprinol and oil? Second question, when I carryout maintenance on the wood, do I sand and reoil, or cuprinol and oil?

[MarkyB]

Oil to keep the water off, Cuprinol to stop rot starting.
The original wood was boiled in Cuprinol then varnished, lasts 30 years plus.

[bmcecosse]

Was it? I've wondered for some time what the factory fresh finish was on the timber.....

[granneb]

Just as a footnote to this post, the original wood, factory fitted in 1968, was held together from about 1990 with fibreglass, replacement wood. all round, being fitted in 1995 with the only protection, many coats of yacht varnish.
The wood is still solid and has outlasted the original and hopefully with many years ahead! Well done Mr Foreman's workmanship.