Overstained maple

[Knurl]

I've used Neil's water-based dye on Maple and find that the color has gone just a touch too dark. Is there some way I can bleach the reddish/brown color to a lighter tone?

[Capt. Zero]

I know no one has replied to this post, I just noticed it tonite. Now I'm a greenhorn, so take this with a grain of salt. I just finished reading a book on finishing (there were 4-5 available and this guy seemed to have the best credentials) and it said you could get a bleach from a hardware store called A-B bleach(two part) that was ideal for this kind of problem. Regular kitchen bleach is not strong enough.
Hope this helps.






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[Capt. Zero]

Oops. My bad. Just reread the section on bleaching wood. Two part bleaches are for lightening up natural wood color(cherry, walnut, ect.). For your problem the arthur suggests a clorine bleach. However, laundry bleach isn't strong enough and he suggests swimming pool shock treatment. You might try it on a scrap or hidden part of your project first as I haven't tried it yet, so I'm not sure how well it works.
As an aside, he also mentions oxcilic acid for removing water stains, rust stains, ect.





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[echnidna]

try a yellow stain over the top of the brown,
it will often lighten brown up a bit.

[son_of_bluegras]

Have you thought of sanding with a fine grit sandpaper? Dyes and stains and all that tends to be a superficial treatment. Lightly sanding will take off just a bit, reducing the amount of dye in the wood which should lighten the appearance.

ron

[Jedo_03]

What I'd try first is wiping it over with a damp\wet cloth...
since the solvent for the dye is water, then water should dilute it...
Give it a wip and see how much stain comes off onto the cloth and how much lighter it is where you wiped...
few wipes over should make a difference
It'll raise the grain so you'll have some light sanding to do - and mebbe sealer...
Jedo




I've used Neil's water-based dye on Maple and find that the color has gone just a touch too dark. Is there some way I can bleach the reddish/brown color to a lighter tone?

[Knurl]

Thank you for thos tips. I might try a) water b) sanding and c) yellow dye in that order until I get the desired affect. I think the water doesn't help after the dye has dried in the grain.

Thanks for all those ideas. I'll let you know how I go.

[martink]

Thank you for thos tips. I might try a) water b) sanding and c) yellow dye in that order until I get the desired affect. I think the water doesn't help after the dye has dried in the grain.

Thanks for all those ideas. I'll let you know how I go.

You may want to try pool chlorine mixed with a little water - this might bleach it lighter or perhaps some IMS rubbed over the surface instead of water i.e. try metho after water and before sanding.

Ciao,

M.