Q.
I need some help in removing blue stain from white pine cants, 8-by-8 and 12-by-12, which are to be used in timber-frame construction. The logs were felled and sawed into cants in the fall, and were stored outside. I know what causes blue stain, and against my advice the cants were not stored properly. Right now, I just need to know how to get rid of it (if that's possible).
A.
Clorox bleach will lighten the color a little bit. It also will affect the color of the wood.
TSP (trisodium phosphate) and elbow grease will also help remove some of the color.
If you use a wire brush, you can scrape some of the color off.
Good luck -- there is no perfect cure.
Gene Wengert, forum moderator
