Problem with waxed wood worktop

paddypaws101

I have a solid oak worktop and had sealed it with Osmo Wood protector and then 2 layers of Osmo Topoil
A few months ago I spilt some oven cleaner near the sink and it caused a very obvious dark, roughened stain.
I checked with Osmo and following their instructions sanded the area down to remove (most of ) the stain and then re-covered with Topoil.
The problem is that the area is markedly paler than the rest of the top even after application of another 2 coats.

Is there anything I can do to remedy the mess? I really don't want to sand down the whole worktop and start again from scratch. Will the newly exposed wood layer darken over time with exposure to light or is that a forlorn hope?

phill99

As the oil seeps further into the timber over time, it will darken. It's just a case of allowing time to take affect. Also, when you next re-oil, this will add another coat which will again darken it down.

paddypaws101

Thanks Phill,
the Osmo is called Topoil but is actually more of a wax so does not really seep into the wood in the same way.

DirectDebacle

Unfortunately I don't think Osmo helped you too much here. It depends what was in the oven cleaner but there is a good chance that it has also bleached the oak.

Sanding just one area is not good practice as it will create a 'dish' in the flat surface. Applied finish tends to highlight this effect rather than hide it.

You can try removing the Topoil (with whatever solvent Osmo recommend) Try to avoid any further sanding as this will make any dishing worse.

The lighter patch needs to be colour matched as close as possible to the rest of the worktop. Buy a couple of small tin of wood stain. It is available in many different shades so get one that looks to you one or two shades lighter than your worktop and one that looks about the same but no darker. Make sure they are the same make and can be mixed with each other. Remember all finishes darken wood to a certain degree, even a clear finish will do this.

Apply the lighter stain first and see how it blends in. If too light then mix in a separate container a small amount of the darker stain with the lighter. Continue experimenting until you are satisfied with the colour. It should be slightly lighter than the worktop so that applying the Topoil will blend almost perfectly with the rest of it.

TBH achieving a perfect repair is the job for a skilled re-finisher.

Before resorting to the above try phill99 suggestion for a few weeks. It may blend in. Is Topoil available in different shades? If so you could try mixing a small amount of that you currently use with a darker shade just on that damaged area.

paddypaws101

Thanks DD,
I agree, Osmo's advice....and the actual video of it!...have not been a tremendous help.
The oven cleaner was a small patch about the size of 2x 50p pieces and the mark was very much darker than the surrounding wood, I think it reacted with the wax itself. The paler area is actually where I sanded, and it was only by hand so not terrible deep, but this patch is about the size of my hand.
I really don't feel comfortable using wood stains, I think I would end up making it much worse....in fact I wish I had just left the original mark!
It is such a shame as I had just used the Osmo wax cleaner to refresh the whole surface and buffed it up and it was looking absolutely wonderful.

dodders

Do you know a French polisher in your area?
These days french polishers don't only work on furniture.