The method varies based on how deep the stain has penetrated. If it is only in the varnish/polyurethane then it may be possible to wash it with soapy water and a bleach solution and to then buff and polish it out with very fine steel wool. Trisodiun phosphate also helps. Follow the instructions on the bottle carefully though.
If it is into or has stained the wood itself, you can sand/steel wool to bare wood and then use bleach and more trisodium phosphate to lighten the stain and then do a local repair/patch to the to floor protection layer. This is difficult if you do not know the brand/color of the varnish/polyurethane that was originally used, and you may have to do test patches until you can match them. Once you get a good match, steel wool the edges smooth, and then feather the polyurethane out over the unaffected area. Follow the instructions on the can and steel wool between coats. Then once everything has dried use a very fine steel wool to blend the edges until yuo cannot see the join.
Re: too smrt for his own goodjtdiiiFebruary 19 2006, 03:44:37 UTC
Well, I grew up renovating houses with my father and uncle, and have watched or helped my father restore furniture for decades. You pick up a rather odd assortment of skills that way.
Unfortunately taking stains out of wood can be far more difficult than my short description makes clear. You have to do it slowly and carefully so that you do not over bleach the wood which makes it too light and white, or over sand which raises the grain and makes it very hard to make smooth again. Then matching stains and finishes can be an art form in and of itself. I have done it, and it is not rocket science, it is just slow and careful work. Well lit pictures also help when matching colors and finishes at the hardware store. If there are samples matching the raw wood color and the final colors help a lot.
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If it is into or has stained the wood itself, you can sand/steel wool to bare wood and then use bleach and more trisodium phosphate to lighten the stain and then do a local repair/patch to the to floor protection layer. This is difficult if you do not know the brand/color of the varnish/polyurethane that was originally used, and you may have to do test patches until you can match them. Once you get a good match, steel wool the edges smooth, and then feather the polyurethane out over the unaffected area. Follow the instructions on the can and steel wool between coats. Then once everything has dried use a very fine steel wool to blend the edges until yuo cannot see the join.
Good Luck
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Unfortunately taking stains out of wood can be far more difficult than my short description makes clear. You have to do it slowly and carefully so that you do not over bleach the wood which makes it too light and white, or over sand which raises the grain and makes it very hard to make smooth again. Then matching stains and finishes can be an art form in and of itself. I have done it, and it is not rocket science, it is just slow and careful work. Well lit pictures also help when matching colors and finishes at the hardware store. If there are samples matching the raw wood color and the final colors help a lot.
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