Question REMOVING SMOKE STAIN FROM MOULDING

[Sherry Lee]

A customer wants a previously framed original reframed using preservation practices and wants to utilize the same frame.

The bottom leg of the frame has a 3" x 2" blackened area "caused by a candle that was below it at one time...when the candle was blown out, the smoke caused the stain".

The moulding is a light/med oak with a blue wash over it.

Is this something that shouldn't be touched for fear it would remove the blue wash?

 

[JFeig]

If the "smoke stain" is heat set ........ it will not come out. You will have to replace the frame.

Not knowing the actual finish in your frame.... I can't tell exactly what will remove the smoke. If the finish is water safe I would start with a detergent wash, or mineral spirits if solvent safe. Remember to test first for compatibility.

 

[Jerry Ervin]

If it is a waxed finish, mineral spirits will most likely remove the wax.

I assume that you have tried some glass cleaner on it. That is always the first thing I try. It's handy.

 

[Rick Granick]

That sounds like a tricky finish to clean without "destroying the village in order to save it". I've had luck removing somke residue using one of those "magic sponge" things available at Bed/Bath/Beyond- type places. ("As seen on TV.") However, it would probably leave some of the residue in the grooves of the finish. Worth a try though. If you can get it looking reasonably good, maybe you could reapply a new wash over the whole frame using diluted acrylic paint.
Rick

 

[Ylva]

Depending on how black it is. It might be burned and not just stained from smoke.
Have you tried Mr. Clean's magical eraser? Try it on a small spot first of course, but that stuff really works on a lot of things.

 

[Baer Charlton]

8 drops of Basic H into a 1/8C of water... use a cotton ball.

 

[MIK]

Uh Baer, I haven't had enough coffee to wake up the one brain cell I got left. What's Basic H?

 

[Pat Murphey]

Uh Baer, I haven't had enough coffee to wake up one one brain cell I got left. What's Basic H?

Mik, try this. Baer likes to talk in tongues.


http://www.shaklee.net/orderhere/getclean/ourproducts/basich2/concentrate

 

[Bandsaw]

For smoke or nicotine use carpet shampoo - I like Argosheen

 

[Rick Granick]

How about Preparation H ?
Rick
(just kidding)

 

[jim_p]

How about Preparation H ?
Rick
(just kidding)

Well, if the customer is being a pain in the a## then that might be appropriate

 

[nikfrz]

Hey, that stuff's great for crow's feet.

 

[MIK]

Good to know...but how do you catch a crow to put it on their feet?

 

[Luddite]

I just want to know: who were the beta testers for preparations A thru G? L.

 

[Rick Granick]

Hey, that stuff's great for crow's feet.

How do crows buy it? They don't have any money.
Rick