Butternut Bowl Question

[Dave Fritz]

This is a butternut salad bowl that we've used since 2014. Recently we noticed a black spot on the base of the bowl. I removed most of the black with sandpaper. It looks like it was a small knot that started to take on moisture and mold or something.

The finish is a mixture of walnut oil with a little bee's wax and carnuba mixed in.

Anxious to hear what your thoughts are regarding a fix. Thanks.

 

[odie]

The black spot is probably the result of mold, and moisture/oxygen at that location. I haven't run across this before, but for a "try", I'd make sure it was completely dried out, and then use thumb pressure to squeeze some epoxy into the effected area. As long as it stays dry, it's not likely to get worse.....I think. If it goes all the way to the inside, where it might be in contact with food, I'd think about making a new bowl!

How do you wash the exterior? Use water on that surface?

All that is just a guess on my part.......

-----odie-----

 

[Dave Fritz]

Thanks Odie, it doesn't go through to the inside and we do wash it with soap and water, then rinse off and dry with a towel and let it dry on the table before putting it away.

 

[hockenbery]

Black spots like that are usually mold, pitch pocket in the wood, reaction to iron, or tanic acid.
I think Kelly is right with mold.
Let it dry and try to seal out the water this will keep it from growing.

You now have a patina.....

It is unlikely you will be able to remove it without damaging the surrounding area.