How Do You Remove Rust Stains When Refinishing Wood?
Rust stains that you discover on wood during a refinishing project are certain to slow you down. Rust is notoriously difficult to remove. This difficulty is all the greater with wood, for the surface of wood can easily be damaged by energetic efforts at rust removal. Stains from old nails and metal furniture seem to become part of the wood itself. They are a result of a reaction between water and the tannic acid inside the wood. Rust stains go deeper than abrasives can reach. But it is possible to remove rust stains when refinishing wood. The process requires preparation and some powerful chemicals, so proceed with care. Clean the wood. The rust-stained wood must be stripped down to the surface. Dirt, wax, and finishes will interfere with the removal of the rust stains. Get some oxalic acid, or wood bleach. Oxalic acid is an organic acid that occurs in some foods. Concentrated, it also serves as a powerfully caustic cleaner. It is used in many preparations for refinishing wood, and is
