"restoration " help

[Gretch Flo]

A friend of mine from Australia (the one whose son lived and 5 other died in a tragic car accident 1 1/2 years ago) is a "bowlaholic", and has bought several things from me. 2 months after her son's accident their $500,000+ home burned. (faulty wiring I think-no one hurt. She told the kids to grab a few treasures, and she brought out as much of her wood things as she could!!!! before the fire dept got there).
She had a jarrah burl small plate that survived, but was sent to restoration from ? smoke (water??) "inhalation". The burl is now dull, but beautiful (flat now) figure. (no odor!!!). She tried to "revive" the luster with beeswax/walnut oil mixture I had previously given her.
Still dull, but some of my wax was left on it. Not sure there is any penetration of the oil. I am getting rid of the wax with acetone as I write.
Now what to do????Not sure what is in the desmoking odor control. Something vacuumed or pressurized?????
I don't have access to much in my finish armamentarium. (Deft Danish oil finish , shellac/linseed,alcohol (capt Eddies's mixture), mylands sanding sealer (May have a lacquer in it), myelands friction polish (has shellac in it), another friction polish with lacquer in it, and lest I get myself in a knot, (for those that remember my lacquer dilemma this summer) , lacquer. (please don't say L word) . Maybe it's a lost cause, told her I'd give the old college try. Gretch

 

[Scott Hackler]

I don't see any reason why you couldn't hand sand it down a bit (start at 180 and work your way up to a minimum of 400) and soak it real good with thinned shellac (as a sanding sealer) and after a few days steel wool that surface and start either a wipe on poly regiment for glossy or tung oil for satin. Either way the "new" finish should bring the beauty of the wood back to life. IMO

* AFTERTHOUGHT:
The wood is likely too dry now (less than ambient humidity) because of the heat from the fire and it needs a little moisture to stabilize to the ambient humidity so it wont crack. After the "sand down" I might be inclined to submerge the piece in water for a day and then let it air dry in your shop until it measures 8-10%. Someone else should chime in on this possible scenario.

 

[john lucas]

I don't know what they use either. My sister had a fire with lots of smoke damage. They cleaned the photographs I had given her. I would have thought that would be impossible. Wish I could help.

 

[Gretch Flo]

restoration piece

Found out yesterday they used "ozone", and then chemicals. Didn't think they used vacuum or pressure. Gretch

 

[Nate Hawkes]

That explains the dull finish. Ozone is a very, very strong oxidizer--I used to use an ozonizer in a very elaborate saltwater coral aquarium; it would erode even the best silicone air tubing. Pretty amazing stuff though--it took away the NASTY smell of the junk coming out of the filter. I would think that you can just buff this out; white diamond and carnauba would probabloy be just fine for it--the finish is still there on the bowl, its just oxidized a bit. Just be careful about using too much compound, or you'll be left with white powder in any voids on the burl.

 

[Gretch Flo]

restoration

I did as Scott suggested. Sanded quite a bit, and used sanding sealer. I have now got to the point of the deep red/maroon returned. (it had changed to an orangish tan). Now am applying danish oil (3 coats so far) . It does drink it alot tho.
Thanks for the info on Ozone -Gretch