Handyman Guide > Bleaching

Wood is usually bleached to remove old stains or to make the wood lighter so that one of the blonde finishes may be used. Floors, if left too long unfinished, will require bleaching to remove the stains in the wood.



If the surface to be bleached has been painted or varnished, this finish must be removed in order that the bleaching agent can act upon the exposed wood and bleach out the stain that is in the grain.

Kinds of Bleach. A bleaching chemical can be purchased readymade, or a very effective one can be made by dissolving 1/2 lb. of oxalic acid crystals in 1/2 gal. of warm water. Oxalic acid may be purchased at hardware stores and is not expensive. This is an excellent bleach to use on large surfaces, such as floors, but on furniture it is generally easier to use a prepared brand of wood bleach. Needless to say, any chemical strong enough to bleach wood should be used with care, and steps should be taken to prevent its getting on hands, face, or in the eyes.

Using Oxalic Acid. In using an oxalic acid bleaching solution, brush the liquid on the wood while the water is still hot and allow it to remain there until dry. Several applications of the bleach may be necessary if the stain has penetrated deep into the grain. When the bleach is dry, a white powder will appear on the surface. If more bleaching is needed, apply an additional coat over the dry powder.

When satisfactory results have been obtained, rinse the wood several times with fresh water to remove every trace of the acid. Add a small amount of vinegar to the final rinse to neutralize any remaining acid. It is very important that the wood be free of acid before any sanding is done. Oxalic acid is poisonous, and the fine dust of sanding which contains this acid can readily be inhaled. Sanding is necessary after bleaching, because the action of the water tends to raise the grain of the wood.

Other Bleaches. Hydrogen peroxide can be used as a bleach for small spots, as can some of the chlorine solutions used for bleaching clothes.

ENAMELING

There are many kinds of enamel available, and their composition varies greatly according to the brand. Although the formula may vary, enamel can be described roughly as a varnish with pigment added. Enamel can be used for floors, toys, exterior and interior trim, and has many other uses. When you buy enamel, buy the right type for the job to be done, for there is just as much difference between certain kinds of enamel as between paints and varnishes. You can obtain enamels that dry with either a dull finish or a high gloss, and, in general, they will produce a surface smoother and harder than that produced by oil paints. Most enamels will hide a surface almost as well as oil paints, and enamel flows so freely as to leave no brush marks on the finished surface.


Continue to Enameling continued



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The Workshop
Equipping the Workshop - Heating - Fire Precautions - The Workbench - Saw Bucks - Tool Rack.

Home Construction
Elements of the House - Building Materials - Lumber - Molding - Kinds of Wood and their Characteristics - Plywood Wallboard - Roofing Materials - Concrete - Mixing Concrete - Cement Mortar - Concrete Forms - Concrete Blocks - Cinder Blocks - Bricklaying - Fieldstone - Anchoring in Masonry - Soldering.

Furniture
Upholstered Furniture - Furniture Upkeep - Removing Stains - Removing Dents - Leather Upholstery - Cane Seats - Furniture Repairs - How to Repair Breaks - Levelling furniture - Remodeling Furniture - Polishes and Polishing - French Polishing - Painting Furniture - Sticking Drawers - Metal Furniture.

Painting
Paint Brushes - Storing Brushes - Varnish - Water Paint and Plastic Paint - Types of Paint - Paint Thinners - Mixing Paints - Preparing the Surface - Painting Flaws - Removing Paint - Exterior Painting - Painting New Wood - Repainting - Metal - Interior Painting - Calcimine - Painting Woodwork - Old Wood Trim - Staining - Fillers - Varnishing - Bleaching - Enameling - Painting Radiators - Painting Concrete - Shingles - Stoves and Stove Pipes - Whitewash.

Heating
Home Heating Systems - Chimneys - Coal Furnaces - Fuels - Burning Wood - Furnace Dampers - Starting a Coal Fire - Removal of Ashes - Coal Stokers - Oil Burners - Kerosene Heaters - Thermostats - Boiler Dampers - Fuel Economy - Warm Air System - Steam System - Vacuum System - Hot Water System - Radiators - Boilers - Maintaining the System - Insulating the System - Home Insulation - Storm Windows - Weather Stripping - Insulating Your Home - Blanket and Rigid Insulation - Unfinished Attic and Exterior Walls - Winterizing a Cabin - Preparing the foundation - Winterproofing a Cottage - Fireplaces - Reducing Condensation - Humidity.

Plumbing
The Plumbing System - Fresh water supply - Low Water Pressure - Hot Water System - Hot Water Heaters - Hot Water Tanks - Dirty Hot Water - The Sewage System - Sewage Disposal - Cesspools - Septic Tanks - Clearing Sewer Pipes - Clearing Drains - Plumbing Traps - Toilet Traps - Noisy Plumbing - Leaks in Water Tanks - Frozen Pipes - Clogged Water Pipes - Hard Water - Faucets - Shower Mixing Valves - Leaky Flush Tanks - Flush Valves - Removing Toilet Bowl - Leaky Pipes - Draining the Plumbing - Sealing Traps - Draining the Heating System - Types of Pipe - Insulating Pipes - Water Corrosion - Cleaning Fixtures.

Electricity
Definition of Terms - Ohm's Law - Alternating and Direct Current - Sources of Electrical Power - The Electrical System - Overloading the Circuit - Rewiring - Reading a Meter - Precautions - Fuses - Types of Cord - Splicing Wires - Replacing Plugs and Switches - Home Lighting - Electric Motors - Signaling System - Transformers - Burglar Alarms - Repairing the System - How to Install a Bell System.

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