Any way to remove smoke damage?

texomawood · Post by **texomawood** » Sat May 25, 2013 1:04 pm

When my shop went up in flames I had several projects that were damaged. Some I was able to save bowel turning blanks, and others I had to toss.
But one project is an oak queen-sized headboard that is all cut and fitted and was ready to glue. Sorry to say it ended up covered in smoke residue and has some water spotting. Does anybody know of anyway other than heavy sanding to remove the smoke residue??
I'd really like to save the wood and all the work so far expended.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Sat May 25, 2013 2:12 pm

You could try TSP, wiping it down with mineral spirits or maybe goo gone? For the water spots all I can think of is sanding.

nuhobby · Post by **nuhobby** » Sat May 25, 2013 2:38 pm

Planing/sanding can do a nice clean-up if the stains aren't too deep. Another helpful trick is to get some Deck Cleaning liquid, which some folks claim is really just another packaging of Clorox, to remove the darker spots.

texomawood · Post by **texomawood** » Sat May 25, 2013 8:31 pm

Thanks for the suggestion of using TSP. Mixed it, brushed it on, kept it wet for 10 to 15 min then brushed it off and rinsed with lots of fresh water and it took 80% of the smoke residue off. I will sand it lightly tomorrow after it dries.... The wood grain looks great.