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October, 2017 The Antique Shoppe Page 29
Hi Fred - This isn't exactly a furniture question but it is a wood water handy to flush off any "accidents." The acid must be mixed with
Q. question. I would appreciate any help you may be able to give hot water and used in a well ventilated area since the gasses given off by
me. I found an ordinary Al Kaline store model baseball bat that is in the mixture can be very dangerous.
sound condition except the barrel end of it was in water long enough to So much for the caveats. The bat will have to be stripped first.
stain it dark. I'll probably strip it and refinish it. Like most bats, the wood After stripping and appropriate rinsing and drying, apply a mixture of
must be white ash. Is there a way to get the black/dark water stain out or oxalic acid on the entire bat, not just the stained area. This will help
should I simply use a dark brown stain in an effort to hide the ugly stain? insure a uniform color when you are done. Allow the mixture to dry on
The stamped trademark and Kaline's name in block letters appear to be the wood overnight. It may require two or three or more applications to
deep enough to survive the stripping process. Thanks for your help. D.H. completely remove the stain. When you have achieved the desired color
D.H. - Glad to help even on a non-furniture question because thoroughly rinse the acid residue from the wood with multiple flushings
A. the answer is directly applicable to similar furniture problems. with distilled water. Then neutralize any remaining acid crystals with
In this case we are lucky. Determining the source of a stain gives a clue a mixture of two tablespoons of baking soda in a quart of water. This
to what kind of bleach to use to remove it. Most "water" stains such as is important even if you don't see any remaining crystals. If you don't
is on your bat are actually iron based stains, caused by the reaction of neutralize before sanding the acid will fly off the wood with the sanding
the iron in the water to the tannin in the wood. Most iron based water dust and you could inhale it. When you are done remember that oxalic
stains are gray or black. Tap water contains a trace of iron and since your acid is considered hazardous waste and any leftovers, including the
bat was probably in a metal bucket there is even more probability of swept up sanding dust, should be carefully disposed of. Now you can
the presence of iron. Certain woods like oak, ash and mahogany among proceed to refinish the bat back to original condition.
others, contain a high level of tannin so they can sometimes be stained Send your comments, questions and pictures to me at
just by getting them wet with tap water if they do not have a protective PO Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423 or email them to me at
finish over them. In your case apparently the bat was submerged long info@furnituredetective.com
enough for the water to penetrate the finish so it has to be stripped and Visit Fred’s newly redesigned website at
refinished anyway. www.furnituredetective.com and check out the new
The best bleach to use on iron stains is oxalic acid. It will remove downloadable “Common Sense Antiques” columns in
.pdf format. His book “HOW TO BE A FURNITURE
this particular type of stain without affecting the natural color of the DETECTIVE” is now available for $18.95 plus $3.00
wood. Oxalic acid can be found in hardware and paint stores in powder shipping. Send check or money order for $21.95 to Fred
form. While oxalic acid is probably the safest bleach to use around the Taylor, PO Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423
house it is still a highly corrosive acid and you must exercise great care Fred and Gail Taylor's DVD, "IDENTIFICATION OF
to protect yourself and your surroundings. You should wear heavy latex OLDER & ANTIQUE FURNITURE", ($17.00 + $3.00 S&H) are also available at the
same address. For more information call (800) 387-6377 (9AM-4PM Eastern, M-F
gloves at all times while using oxalic acid and protect the rest of your only), fax 352-563-2916, or e-mail info@furnituredetective.com. All items are also
body. Wear a dust mask and eye protection and keep a large supply of available directly from the website, www.furnituredetective.com.

Oviedo Antique Mall
Echoes of Yesterday Oviedo, FL 32765
95 Geneva Drive

A Mall for Antiques, Collectibles & Yesterday’s Items Open 7 Days • Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 12-6pm
Historic Downtown Area Central Florida’s Friendliest Antique Mall
109 Broadway, Kissimmee, FL 34741 100+ Dealers for your shopping Pleasure
Now over 12,500 Square Feet
(407) 847-2300 Primitives, Antiques & Collectibles of All Types

Mon-Sat 10-5 (Fri 10-4) Highwaymen Paintings are our Specialty
Visit us on Facebook: Stop in to check out our great hunting & decoy dealer.
Echoes of Yesterday Antique Mall #DON is a 45 year veteran collector and dealer
3 specializing in vintage and antique decoys, bows
and fishing gear. Constant changing inventory.

Just in...several original Highwaymen paintings and
original oil paintings by famed Sanford artist E.B. Stowe”
Website: oviedoantiquemall.com PH:407-366-3668
Email: oviedoantiquemall@gmail.com Toll Free 866-824-9336
Announcing the addition of a new
Lladro figurine dealer & a new watch
& clock full service repair shop.

Make Downtown Oviedo
Your All Day Antique Destination!
2 Antique shops (25,000 Sq. Ft.) & A Thrift Store
within easy walking distance.
We stock Maison Blanche
Paints & Products

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