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Bert Kemp
07-08-2018, 5:51 PM
I was given the top to an Urn my friends building for his in laws. The piece was already stained with no other finish on it and I engraved it with out masking firsthttps://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRD_e7ygjFaabUYW-1PkQU9KWoUSqOxn23hE_AItnEwa-iNQYBsZg
How can I remove the soot without removing any stain???

Jerome Stanek
07-08-2018, 6:34 PM
I would try Denatured Alcohol

Matt McCoy
07-08-2018, 6:37 PM
Do you have a pic? Depending on the stain, you might try a light dilution of orange cleaner with a microfiber cloth.

Bill George
07-08-2018, 7:27 PM
Give it back to him and have him lightly sand with fine sandpaper and re stain and then poly varnish. Do over.

Bert Kemp
07-08-2018, 8:02 PM
I don't think sanding and re-staining is an option because the stain will bleed into the engraving .
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Do you have a pic? Depending on the stain, you might try a light dilution of orange cleaner with a microfiber cloth.

Scott Shepherd
07-08-2018, 9:40 PM
Alcohol, super lightly put on a towel. Let it dry in the towel so it’s just barely wet. I mean almost dry. Then wipe super lightly and make sure it’s now damaging the stain. If it is, it’ll be super light and not noticeable. Repeat until it’s gone. Just make sure the rag or towel is almost dry to the touch.

Gary Hair
07-08-2018, 9:46 PM
Alcohol, super lightly put on a towel. Let it dry in the towel so it’s just barely wet. I mean almost dry. Then wipe super lightly and make sure it’s now damaging the stain. If it is, it’ll be super light and not noticeable. Repeat until it’s gone. Just make sure the rag or towel is almost dry to the touch.

It will probably soften the finish but if you go as lightly as Steve is telling you then it will not be noticeable. If it is noticeable then lightly wipe the entire surface and it should blend in. Same thing happened to a bunch of Alder planks I engraved and they ended up fine.

Kev Williams
07-08-2018, 10:57 PM
I mentioned this in another thread, try turpentine-- it's kinda oily, dries very slow, and I've never known it to attack plastics or dried paint or finishes. Not saying it can't, but I've never seen it- I use it to clean the edge goo when cutting Rowmark; when using DNA on Rowmark, and yellow especially (and Duets REAL especially), the DNA attacks and removes it fairly quick. Turpentine does nothing to the colors but does remove the goo.

One of my competitors that I didn't know existed called me last week about doing an metal urn ironcially- after some chatting I found out he does lots of wood, and told me what he uses to clean soot is antibacterial wipes with Clorox... maybe give that a test drive? (I rarely engrave wood or I wood--er, would) ;)

Dave Sheldrake
07-08-2018, 11:05 PM
Water Bert, same as you would clean mirrors with to remove soot, a lightly damp cloth and a light rub will do it

Mike Null
07-09-2018, 8:16 AM
Bert
I've had good success with mineral spirits (almost like Kev's suggestion) and at times a cleaner such as Pine-sol has worked. One thing I use is a less coarse version of the green 3M scratchers--I can't remember if it's gray or maroon but you can get them at Woodcraft or Rockler. Use them lightly then I use a paste wax to buff a uniform finish on the wood.

John Lifer
07-09-2018, 11:00 AM
I've heard several folks using the Chlorox wipes. I usually use DNA, but I'd try a soft cloth and water first. If finish is hard cured (several days old at least) it shouldn't hurt a thing. Soft and light with the motion.
If it doesn't get it, try DNA second if you don't have a Chlorox wipe on hand. Third would be turpentine, it shouldn't touch finish. Last would be mineral spirits. Only on fully cured finish.

John Lifer
07-09-2018, 11:02 AM
Oh, and you aren't the lone Ranger here. I've done several items without masking.... So far I've been able to clean. And on this, I wouldn't have probably thought about it at all.

Matt McCoy
07-09-2018, 11:36 AM
Turpentine is usually a pine oil solvent, similar to citrus cleaners, like the orange cleaner I suggested. The tricky part is to mix a dilution that is just strong enough to remove the sap and stain residue, without lifting the stain. I would use a soft microfiber, not an abrasive, and a light touch.

Epilog has a tutorial where they recommend using orange hand cleaner (same active ingredient) for residue removal from wood. Here's the link:

http://support.epiloglaser.com/article/8205/30190/easily-remove-engraving-residue-from-wood

Keith Downing
07-09-2018, 12:00 PM
If you're worried about the surface being sensitive, try a small amount of white vinegar on a wet rag. This is all we ever really use for cleanup now and it usually works on all types of wood and finishes.

Bert Kemp
07-09-2018, 8:32 PM
Thanks for all the ideas. I tried the water today first, but it just kinda smudged it all around without removing it. The I tried the DNA after I let it get almost dry and that cleaned it pretty good but did lighten the stain a little . I delivered it back to my buddy who's making the urn. He's going to sand it a little more then light stain to touch it up. Thanks for all the help here. MASK_MASK< MASK---- LOL