Stripped pine doors were never neutralised

lmanning · 4 Aug 2012

Hi,

I have some pine doors that were stripped about 10 years ago, but when I bought the house the guys said that he had never neutralised them. Some of them have shrunk quite a bit and others have a white stain. They are unfinished at the moment.

Is it to late to Neutralise them?
What is the best method to neutralise?
I want to keep the natural pine look so can anyone suggest the best method of finishing them.

Thanks - len[/list]

AronSearle · 4 Aug 2012

Neutralise?

lmanning · 5 Aug 2012

Yes, They were acid stripped

AronSearle · 5 Aug 2012

It won't be too late, depending on the chemical used to strip the timber it may crystallise in the fibres, and activate in the presence of moisture, but it won't harm the timber.

Do you know they were acid stripped and not dipped in an alkali solution as is more typical for pine?

Washing, then oxalic acid/viniger or white spirit is typically used, depending on the stripper used.

foxhole · 5 Aug 2012

Dipping doors is very damaging to timber hence the shrinkage.
IMO firewood.

AronSearle · 5 Aug 2012

Nah, the timber won't be damaged at all by the dipping, the glue could be, but if they haven't fallen apart by now, they are fine. Timber has been used in chemical vats, so a short dip is nothing.

The shrinkage won't be related to the stripping.

foxhole · 5 Aug 2012

Stripping removes natural oils as well as oil based paint causing shrinkage and joint failure.

lmanning · 6 Aug 2012

Hi,

Thanks for the responses. The guy said something about being told to put vinegar on them, but he was pretty vague.

Anyway, 10 years on (thats the time he said he had them done) and they are still pretty solid and not falling apart.

So what is the best way to finish them. Would oils be a good option and if so, what type would you recommend.

Should I put on a diluted vinegar solution or has it been long enough now not to worry about it?

Many thanks

AronSearle · 7 Aug 2012

lmanning said:
Hi,

Thanks for the responses. The guy said something about being told to put vinegar on them, but he was pretty vague.

Anyway, 10 years on (thats the time he said he had them done) and they are still pretty solid and not falling apart.

So what is the best way to finish them. Would oils be a good option and if so, what type would you recommend.

Should I put on a diluted vinegar solution or has it been long enough now not to worry about it?

Many thanks

If he was told to put vinegar on them, then an alkali solution was used.

vinegar is acidic (timber is naturally acidic, pine has a PH value of about 4-5).

The alkali chemical can crystallise in the surface fibres, and remain there until removed and/or activated by moisture, hence why it needs to be removed or it will react with water based finishes (and solvent based to some degree).

You can use either white vinegar or oxalic acid, oxalic acid is a bit harsher but will also restore the "fresh" pine colour (which may or may not be desirable). I reckon you just want to stick to vinegar.

foxhole said:
Stripping removes natural oils as well as oil based paint causing shrinkage and joint failure.

Timber has a history of use in chemical vat's and use in harsh environments, a short dip won't harm it.

It can bugger up the glue, shrinkage is normally caused not by the chemicals, but by the washing and improper drying afterwards.

lmanning · 15 Aug 2012

Thanks for the responses guys. I have been on hols so have not replied sooner.

Where would the best place to get the white vinegar be?

Also any tips on the best method of finishing.

Varnish?

I did see one post where the guy used sanding sealer and then waxed them. Is that a good option do you think?

Thanks for atll your help

Len

joinerjohn · 15 Aug 2012

lmanning said:
Where would the best place to get the white vinegar be?

Probably the pickles and condiments aisle at Asda.

AronSearle · 18 Aug 2012

Also any tips on the best method of finishing.

Varnish?

I did see one post where the guy used sanding sealer and then waxed them. Is that a good option do you think?

Best?

it's about what you like.

Varnish, harder wearing, more shiny.

Wax, less shiny, more "lustrous", not as hard wearing as a varnish.

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Stripped pine doors were never neutralised

joinerjohn

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