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My neighbor swore by a vinegar and steel wool mix for stripping old paint, and it was a huge mistake
He's a good guy, been doing this for years, and told me to soak a pad of 0000 steel wool in white vinegar for a week to make my own stripper for a 1920s dresser. He said it was cheap and gentle. I did it, and after three days of scrubbing, it did take off the top layer... but it left a dark, almost black stain soaked deep into the oak grain. I tried everything to lighten it, even oxalic acid, but the stain is still there. The piece is basically ruined for a clear finish now. I should have just used a proper chemical stripper from the start. Has anyone else had a home remedy go this wrong on old wood?
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riverp371mo ago
A week in vinegar turned your oak black?
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nora101mo ago
Wait, a whole week? I left mine for like two days and it was already super dark.
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