• Congratulations to Bernie Hyrtzak, People's Choice in the January 2026 Turning Challenge (click here for details)
  • Congratulations to David Croxton for "Geri's Basket Illusion" being selected as Turning of the Week for February 2, 2026 (click here for details)
  • AAW Symposium demonstrators announced - If the 2026 AAW International Woodturning Symposium is not on your calendar, now is the time to register. And there are discounts available if you sign up early, by Feb. 28. Early Bird pricing gives you the best rate for our 40th Anniversary Symposium in Raleigh, North Carolina, June 4–7, 2026. (There are discounts for AAW chapter members too) For more information vist the discussion thread here or the AAW registration page
  • Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.

Wood bleach and Holly

Joined
Jul 1, 2004
Messages
61
Likes
2
Location
Claxton, Georgia
I have a holly vessel that I have turned that had already stained before I turned it. If I use wood bleach on it will it bleach the holly back to the typical white color of holly? Or would I be better off leaving it as is.

Stacey
 
Stained with what? If it's mildew, bleach should take care of it. Works less well with stains from spalting fungi. The sugar (caramel?) stains that come out when green wood is spun are best washed, sanded and washed, in my experience.
 
If it's a bluish Green then it's probably from high sap and or mineral. I haven't done it myself but I'm told it bleaches out pretty easy. Brian
 
I recently bleached a holly vase that had turned blue/green, and it came out several shades lighter - almost pure white. I used the Kleen-Strip 2-part bleach, and gave it 2 treatments. I'm very happy with the results. It did raise the grain, so it's a good idea to raise the grain first and resand before bleaching. The bleaching doesn't go too deep, so be careful when you're sanding.

Scott
 
Back
Top