Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi

Over the last week or so I have noticed a couple of black patches have appeared on my traveller wood.

Luckily I have managed to sort out a garage for over winter.

Do I just need to let it dry in the garage or should I try and sort it before spring.

The main patch I'd on the rear door.

Thanks
Andy

Yes - you do need to get it dry.... If it's varnished - remove the varnish! Tedious job to say the least. The dark colour can be taken out by treating with Oxalic Acid - although Dennis (aupickup) has another remedy - I can't remember, but he is a carpenter so he knows what's what with wood! I then treated mine with Cuprinol 5 star - several coats - and then I use Teak Oil on mine - NOT varnish, which simply traps dampness in the timber. Needless to say - if the timber has gone 'soft' - it really needs replacing.... Travellers really do need to kept indoors - certainly in winter.

Dennis uses lemon juice to treat black spots. Kinder to the wood as the acid dries out the woodgrain too much.

i use varnish, as i prefer the finish and colour and for the first ten years of my ownership the car lived outside. However the best advice I was given on wood was "what ever method you use to look after the wood do it regularly"

More info here

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14856

ASL642 wrote:Dennis uses lemon juice to treat black spots. Kinder to the wood as the acid dries out the woodgrain too much.

Do I just buy a lemon and squeze the juice onto a cloth and apply ?

Thanks
Andy

Yes - avoiding the pips! It may need several applications though.

Right i get my car back from the garage tomorrow. Am i on the right lines if i sand it down treat the black with lemon juice and then use danish oil. I used this last year. My only concern with using it was that i got a couple of black patches last October as though the oil wasn't protecting it.

Finally how light will the wood look when treated ?

Thanks

Once you've removed the darker patches, use the Danish oil. I used a cloth and a small brush for the harder to get into corners (its these bits that go dark as they've not got enough protection on them). Stipple it in with the brush. It'll take loads of applications. Don't worry about the colour too much. Danish oil is only a very light colour. The oil has to penetrate the wood so give it a day or so and top up. For the first year I had my new wood I topped it up on an almost monthly basis until the wood was saturated.

These are some pictures of my wood showing the areas of concern.














Thanks for your continued help

Andy

That wood doesn't look too bad but you'll need to strip the existing varnish off. Did you take a look at the very detailed post from Kevin about woodwork preparation? http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14856

Those black marks are caused by water ingress under the existing varnish. Carefully strip the varnish off taking care to cover the paintwork. Treat all the dark areas. The area on the rear doors where the varnish appears to have worn away is caused by water/snow sitting on top of the already damaged varnish, especially if the car was outside this last winter. If you don't have a garage I would suggest you get it a good quality outdoor cover, for when we expect really bad weather.

andygill wrote:

ASL642 wrote:Dennis uses lemon juice to treat black spots. Kinder to the wood as the acid dries out the woodgrain too much.

Do I just buy a lemon and squeze the juice onto a cloth and apply ?

Thanks
Andy

Have just applied the first the first lot of lemon juice.

This is what it looks like. Do I need to give it a few hours and the reapply ?

How does the black come out is it onto the cloth or over time when it dries ?

I would imagine that it just bleaches the colour out of it

I've decided on Danish oil. Has anyone used a wood stain as well as the oil.

Thanks

Have just applied the first the first lot of lemon juice.

This is what it looks like. Do I need to give it a few hours and the reapply ?

How does the black come out is it onto the cloth or over time when it dries ?
[/quote]

When I used neat lemon juice (not the stuff in the containers though) it took a quite few applications, looking at your photo it doesn't look like you removed the existing finish before using the lemon juice, as you need to be down to bare wood before trying any sort of treatment, I used a small brush to apply the fresh lemon juice, if it doesnt lighten the area enough you may have to resort to a 2 part wood bleach.

Bit the bullet and had it done professionally.

The before and afters are at
http://www.latics.net



Cheers
Andy

Great job! You mst be very pleased

mbo145 wrote:Great job! You mst be very pleased

Yes I'm really pleased.

Do you have any pictures of your car through the ages ?