Thread: pork fat stain removal

OK dear - chances of recovering that are slim.

You might be able to get enough out at the topmost surface layer to get the WOP to stick by using the following which I got from an old timer furniture restorer

a) Liberally wet stain and several layers of blotting paper or paper towels with turps and cover stain with a paper and then cover that with a thin sheet of Al or tin plate.
b) Apply a medium warm iron to the top of the plate for a few minutes, try it out on a separate piece of wood to make sure your'e not going to scorch the timber
c) Repeat the above with just paper - no turps
d) repeat a - c , a few times.
e) let it dry completely and then check progress.
f) Leave a clean piece of paper under the metal sheet with the iron in top on its lowest setting ON.
if you see any fat coming through maybe give it another go.

This will also drive some fat further into the wood which means some may come back out again much later but its still probably worth a go
FWIW When I tried this (my oil was engine oil and timber was jarrah) it didn't work but oil had been dripping onto the timber for many years.

It couldn't be in too deep if your lucky . Ive seen some bad ones with motor oil over the years . Antique table tops stored in a shed with an old car kept under the car . Nothing brings them back from that . Its been soaking through for years till its coming out the other side of the top. We tried to fix some of them though . Some of the more lightly oil damaged pieces came good .
I use metho . Pour a small amount on for a test spot and light it on fire . Not enough to keep it burning to long . Just as it goes out you will see the heated oil sitting on top, it lifts it up and out . You have to be quick to wipe it off or it goes back in . Ive done that 8 or 10 times before heat gun drying it out more then polishing .

Your using an oil based finish so that will possibly help you along .

Another method I had heard of but never tried is pouring wet plaster over it and leaving to dry out for a month or more .

And another thing you could try is to get some Terebine . Pork oil is probably the wrong type of oil and probably doesn't dry off ? I dont know . Terebine drys oil finishes faster . Terebine Driers

I have a vague recollection of some restoration architect swearing by the use of a poultice.

Something like chalk, maybe with gentle heat.
Can't remember any more. I think the guy may have been Alan Willingham. Maybe abc Saturday morning talk back?
Good luck...

Update - looks like the context was stains on stone. Still, could be worth trying? Although blotting paper as mentioned above might be less messy?

My friend it QLD uses Oxalic Acid to remove fat and grease stains she restores Antiques for a living.

Ok. Thanks for all the hints and tips everyone.
As I have a bottle of Oxalic Acid I'll give that a go first. Then work my way down the list until I get a result.
Here's hoping.
Cheers
Sheddie