[aribert]

I am about to refinish an oak floor that is stained from dog urine. I acquired a two part (gallon each) sodium hydroxide wood bleach sold by Duraseal/Minwax. Anyone have experience using a two part bleach? I have tried to read up on wood bleach, but most of the articles I came across seemed like they copied the same generic information from each other. The two part bleach is supposed to be the strongest bleach used to remove stains and/or lighten wood. Somewhere I read that bleach could damage the wood but the article did not give any further info. I don't have a lot to loose - the floor is already damaged.



I am thinking that I'll apply the bleach after the 60 grit pass. And then continue with the 80 & 100 grit (guessing that I will need to stain the floor to hide the residual urine staining - I would prefer not to stain if I can lighten the spots enough). Does this seem reasonable or do I need to apply the bleach earlier in the sanding sequence?


Finally does anyone know what the shelf life of two part bleach is and what issues may arise if one uses "expired" bleach? I bough the bleach for a different project several years ago but that project got put on hold. The bleach containers have a note on the label that states that the bleach maintains its effectiveness up to 6 months if the containers are unopened. My two bleach containers are unopened but years old.


TIA.

 

[stick\shift]

I use regular clorox bleach to clean my deck but I dilute it 50/50 with water as bleach can be harmful to the wood fibers. I would be careful to follow directions for use on wood.

 

[mark sr]

Wood bleach is different than the household bleach often used to clean decks. I've only used wood bleach once or twice to remove stains on interior hardwood so I don't know too much about it. Never used any 2 part wood bleach. With 2 part coatings they are normally stouter than than single part and would assume the same is true for bleach.