lemon on wood

[steve4063]

does anyone know how to use the lemon on wood

i've sanded it all down and rubbed the lemon on but nothing seems to be happening

do u have to leave it overnight or do something else?

thanks

[chickenjohn]

If the Lemon is not working (ask JLH how to use it), then I would just use some Oxalic acid wood bleach.

[iandromiskin]

I was the same as you. This tip was suggested a while ago and has worked well for a lot of people, except me. I tried it, as you have, with little noticable results, so I resorted to Oxalic acid which I personally found to have worked out great. But again, that was only out of personel preference.

[steve4063]

the wood is getting lighter but its the black marks i want to get rid of

[bigginger]

ask JLH how to use it).

Or Aupickup, the hardwood joiner who suggested it in the first place

[jonathon]

Not sure why its not working. We squeezed about a dozen lemons in total and brushed it on so the wood was wet with it, this was left overnight and wiped off the following day. If the wood was still marked then a further application was required, I think the worst area had 4 coats. Is the black wood damp or rotten or just discoloured. Maybe Au could shed some light on the issue.

[steve4063]

the wood has black blotches and bits

but not all over it just patches

maybe thats what we're doing wrong we just rubbed it with the lemon

[jonathon]

[chickenjohn]

http://antiquerestorers.com/Articles/je ... bleach.htm

"Oxalic Acid

Oxalic acid is unique in that it will remove a certain type of stain formed when iron and moisture come into contact with tannic acid in the wood. Some woods like oak, cherry and mahogany naturally contain a high amount of tannic acid and a black stain is formed when the wood gets wet with tap water (tap water contains iron as a trace mineral). A wet glass or leaky vase left on these woods will produce a black ring. Nails and screws will form black rings around the head if the wood gets wet. If tap water is used to wet unfinished oak and mahogany, small gray spots may form on the surface of the wood. Oxalic acid will remove this discoloration without affecting the natural color of the wood.

Oxalic acid is also used to lighten the graying effects of outdoor exposure. It is the ingredient in most deck "brighteners". Used on furniture that has been stripped for re-finishing, it will lighten the color and re-establish an even tone to the wood, particularly oak. "

[ColinP]

Well,

I've just used Rustin's wood bleach (small bottle - about £3 in our local Hardware shop) on the dinghy.
That removed the dark spots (caused by damp getting under the varnish).

It took about 6 applications and several days for it to go, so don't expect a rapid miracle cure - the traveller wood's been exposed for longer than the boat, plus the fact that there's a lot more metal around on the car!

I think that the traveller frames are ash - that's a good structural wood, but it's only "semi-hardwood". It will eventually just go soft and disintegrate (so does hardwood - but on a longer timescale - I hope!).

The main ting is to make sure that the wood is protected - especially where it is in contact with other parts - i.e. it can't dry out quickly.

Colin

[steve4063]

i tried the acid also and still didn't get the black spots out.

so resorted to got old fashioned way and the belt sander it looks loads better now its been sanded and sanded and sanded again

still a couple of marks but generally its really nice now

[aupickup]

it will depend on the depth of stain and of course what stain it is
do as JLH says , and you may need several applications
it does work, promise

[Kevin]

i've sanded it all down and rubbed the lemon on

It worked for me but you will have to squeeze the lemon and then paint the lemon juice on as Jonathon said.