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Hi. I may have missed a thread or two on this subject, but I'd like to share a personal discovery I made. After bending my Walnut sides on a friend's Fox bender there were some unsightly water stains that did not come out with acetone, light sanding, bleach, or a 409 type cleaner I tried in desperation. I read in an archive that some kind of acid from the paint store works well. I know light spritzing during bending would have improved staining, but I wasn't in charge of this as I let my friend show me his way. Anyway a few nights ago I was trying to possibly iron out some small dings on my neck when I decided to go over the sides with my wet rag and hot iron, in case there were problem areas, and by chance did so on the stains. Well what do you know--they seemed to get lighter, and sure enough after several passes and some sanding, those stains dissappeared ( I took some pictures but don't know if I can upload them). I hadn't heard of this method before and some of you old pros are no doubt aware of it. I wonder if it only works with walnut, or if there is any reason other than the obvious dangers of either loosening kerfing or side braces with heat, or over-thinning sides, for not doing this. I really liked the fact it was so simple and non toxic, if a bit overly tedious at times.

The issue seemed to be that excessive moisture was used during bending and the excess moisture was not cooked off. I am suprized there was not cupping in the sides after the bending.

I've been able to sand out any water stains I've had on sides.

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Light water stains have normally sanded out for me also. I'm guessing the water left over after the bending was fairly heavy and unevenly distributed, and caused the staining as it dried. If there was enough, it could have penetrated deeper than a light sanding would remove. When you wiped the stains with a damp rag, you applied water evenly to the whole side, and the effect on the color became evenly distributed. Whatever, you fixed the problem. Bleaching the sides would probably also have worked, but you would have been left with blond/white wood, and probably would have had to stain it to get it looking natural again.

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Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

Too often people use more water than needed. I have found that often a little more heat is better that too much water. You failed to mention if you used tap water , well water or distilled water.
Walnut . Koa . Mahogany tend to water stain easier that more resinous woods. Often the staining is hidable with a good stain. What was your bending procedure
john hall
blues creek guitars

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

We just used regular tap water in a sink, then used the fox bender, with a stainless steel slat. It was all very easy. I thought my friend was using too much water but didn't want to be too picky because he was being nice enough to show me how he does it. It looks good now though.