<blockquote><cite>Posted By: paul.dixon27</cite> Iroko is what i've found to be the best, Oak is lovely but it can stain with wet iron,like knives and pots, and it's not quite as water friendly as iroko.

any ideas on removing the black stain from oak work surfaces? i see oxalic acid is recommended for other woods but wouldn't it result in bleached out spots on the surface?

not convinced about wood work surfaces near sinks, they all seem to blacken and crack and if you want a natural product then coating with resins and boat varnishes doesn't seem very compatible. in drier areas they are great though.

Posted By: dan_the_man.
any ideas on removing the black stain from oak work surfaces? i see oxalic acid is recommended for other woods but wouldn't it result in bleached out spots on the surface?

not convinced about wood work surfaces near sinks, they all seem to blacken and crack and if you want a natural product then coating with resins and boat varnishes doesn't seem very compatible. in drier areas they are great though.


Hi d_t_m,
Exposure to iron compounds or ammonia causes Oak to blacken. You'll not shift it apart from sanding it out. I agree with you about sinks and water and wood, in general, they don't mix. All surface coating eventually degrade and once the water gets underneath you're in for a hiding. Keep the nice wood to drier areas of the kitchen, unless you like the shabby look.

Hi Julian,
Good to hear you're putting in some elbow grease, sounds like you're overdoing it a bit. Remember "a little bit and often."

Mike

slightly off thread here, but with all the talk of wood not being good near water (saunas? airing cupboards? hot tubs?) (boats?) - have you seen the designer wooden baths that are out now?

Does anyone have any experience of them or opinions of why anyone would want/need a bath made out of wood?

Posted By: ludite; slightly off thread here, but with all the talk of wood not being good near water (saunas? airing cupboards? hot tubs?) (boats?) - have you seen the designer wooden baths that are out now?

Does anyone have any experience of them or opinions of why anyone would want/need a bath made out of wood?

You're not usually that worried if the sauna or hot tub isn't that visually perfect. As a worktop would try to be. As for airing cupboards I thought they were meant to be extra dry.
Wooden baths, mmm, self-punishment perhaps.