@T_Wag Sorry Everybody, I tried to send this info in PM so I'm not too far off topic, but for some reason, some of your profiles allow messaging and some don't...like Emily's page and Kat's page, for example, show a message button, and Naomi's and T_Wag's don't. Even my own messaging page won't connect to some, so I wonder if it is something to do with how you set up your pages??
Anyway, T_Wag, here is the wood bleaching method. There are many methods on line. This one works for me:
Bleaching Wood
Rule: Wear rubber gloves and eye protection, protect clothes and use a safe, well-ventilated area. This mix can irritate skin; it can also weaken wood if you do it too much.
Rule: (Work in small batches, if you need large amounts, do not mix everything you need in one big batch because chemical reaction dissipates over time and you will waste your product.)
Formula: (1 part caustic soda liquid to 1 part strong peroxide; see bottom for details on what these are. I start with 1 cup to 1 cup.)
1. Use glass or plastic containers (no metal) that are twice as large as the liquid you eventually mix.
2. Make the Caustic Soda liquid (lye) first: Take container big enough for four cups, but add 1 cup water.
3. Mix the caustic soda powder into the water and stir with wood or plastic spoon---Use 3 level teaspoons of the powder per cup of water. (Never pour water into Caustic soda always do the CS into water to avoid splashing.)
4. Next: Add equal part (1 cup) 40% peroxide to that liquid. Stir. Mixture will bubble and feel hot which is why you need a container much larger than the liquid it holds. (Note: some recipes use 27% peroxide, but the 40% is what I found, and it works really well.)
5. You now have a powerful Bleach.
6. Spread a thin even layer with a brush or sponge. Try not to let it pool—it will bubble up (IF you let it dry in the sun, it will work even better.)
7. When it is dry, do another layer. The picture I posted is two layers. I might do three before I stain.
8. When it is dry and you like results, Rinse with water and wipe off. Let Dry again.
9. To Neutralize when dry: remember to spread a mixture of 50/50 water and white vinegar over it after you finish bleaching (or any stain you apply later will disappear.) Then when that dries, wipe off that with water again.
10. If stain disappears, do the vinegar and rinse again.
I spent $35 bucks total for enough to do my whole cabinetry, and it definitely works. (The Ciranova Pink Blocker I had already tried does work, but not as well and it's very pricey.) Good Luck. This mix will work on red oak and supposedly cedar and cherry as well, but be careful to do it after you are finished sanding or you will end up sanding right back down to the old color—the bleach only goes so deep. You will water pop the wood, of course, so a light sanding will be okay, but nothing aggressive or you’ll have to bleach it all over again and may ruin wood.
Here’s what I ordered and it took a day for me to receive it.
Super Star 40v stabilized crystal clear liquid peroxide 1 gallon
Sodium Hydroxide-Pure-Food Grade (Caustic Soda, Lye) 2 pound Jar.
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