cleaning plaster from window frames

jdpl28

hey, just had the plasterer around, but he got plaster all over wooden window frames and window boards. Its stained wood. i've tried to clean it off, but it looks like it's got into the wood grain. you can see lines of white everywhere, and i can't get it off. does it mean i'll basically have to sand all the wood right back, or is there any easier way?

thanks,
J

Wertz

What kind of wood? Is it sealed?
Is the wood finished or does it still need decorating?

jdpl28

the wood is sealed/varnished. it's a dark wood window frame, not too sure what type of wood it is. but it does have small indentations in it where the wood grain is, and that's where the plaster is.

Wertz

Some hot water and a nailbrush or similar small scrubbing brush should lift it off without too much bother. Then dry it with a cloth and when it's fully dry rub it with a cloth again to remove the remaining dust.
Varnishing/staining over it is a last resort if the above doesn't do anything, but all that will do is colour the plaster and make it less obvious; you'll still be able to see it.

People should make sure that any plastering they have done, the guy uses masking tape, against finished surfaces and especially if they're working near unsealed timber....once plaster burns it's way into timber it's impossible to remove the stain/burn.

gsxr1

the professional cleaners we have on site use santax brick acid/ water solution in a sprayer and a scouring pad with rubber gloves. On dark wood that has a factory sealer coat. Works a treat but slightly discolours the emulsion paint on the window revels. They usually need touching up again. Painters give out about it, but it gets the dam plaster of for the snag lists.

Last resort thing after you try and warm water. And you should pick a teat area to try it first , just to make sure it does not stain your stain.

magicbastarder

what's the best thing to do if the plaster has gotten onto bare wood? (mahogany)?
the plasterers wiped the wood with a wet cloth, by the looks of it, so i don't have much buildup, but there is a 'scum' of plaster on a lot of the wood.

Wertz

Sand it off and hope that the lime hasn't scorched the timber (blackened stains)...they're extremely difficult to remove. Then use a dry brush to remove the remaining dust...wet the wood with white spirits to simulate what way it'll take varnish/stain...any stains at this stage should be removed with a power sander if necessary, then apply your wood treatments.

magicbastarder

i treated the outside of the frames with danish oil, i take it that would result in the same advice?

Wertz

Danish oil is just a different form of sealing the wood, so yes.
Bear in mind that oil on exterior timber is of little practical use unless you intend to oil them up a couple of times per year, every year and it may not protect the mahongany from UV fading either.

magicbastarder

they're north facing windows so i took the risk on them fading, as there's never any direct sunlight on them. there's not much rain on them, as they're generally in the lee of the building, and don't get much rain on them.

Wertz

Ah you could be alright so., Teak is more prone to fading anyhow than mahogany.
I still think oil is impractical unless you like renewing it...with danish, teak or tung oil, it's recommended to build up in the region of 8-10 coats over a couple of years for the optimum protection. When you get to that level, it's about as impervious as yacht varnish.

Sami23

The plastering is just finished on my new build. The problem is some of the wondow boards seem to have stains or dark patches that won't come off by cleaning with water. I had them covered with plastic but the plasterers still managed to dirty them. My carpenter advised me not to use sanding sealer on the boards when they were fitted in case I wanted to stain them before varnishing.
Has anyone any advice how I can get these rid of these stains ?

embracingLife

white spirits,a rag-(chopped up old vests/jeans) paint scraper and elbow grease.:D

and you may need to restain the window...........and give the plasterer a piece of your mind :mad:

Sami23

embracingLife wrote: »

white spirits,a rag-(chopped up old vests/jeans) paint scraper and elbow grease.:D

and you may need to restain the window...........and give the plasterer a piece of your mind :mad:

Wonder will the white spirits work even though I think the stains that are left are soaked into the timber ???
Very disappointing to see the boards this way, might have been better off putting them in when the plastering was finished.

embracingLife

Its disheartening to read that after someone like yourself pays for windows etc to be installed, along comes a moob of a trademan and just slobbers all over it with out even bothering to clean up. Its as if they do it in spite.

I don't have an answer to how to get your windows back to their original condition as the stain has now soaked into the wood. Have you asked the company who supplied windows for any recommendations?!

Sami23

embracingLife wrote: »

Its disheartening to read that after someone like yourself pays for windows etc to be installed, along comes a moob of a trademan and just slobbers all over it with out even bothering to clean up. Its as if they do it in spite.

I don't have an answer to how to get your windows back to their original condition as the stain has now soaked into the wood. Have you asked the company who supplied windows for any recommendations?!

Its actually the window boards that are stained not the windows.......

mad m

Had doors installed in garage couple years back, had doors to myself for few days till they went up and room was plastered...I put 3 coats of yacht varnish on, but alas even after telling the plasters to be careful and me thinking the varnish would be ok to seal door, the plaster burned right in.....

Sami23

mad m wrote: »

Had doors installed in garage couple years back, had doors to myself for few days till they went up and room was plastered...I put 3 coats of yacht varnish on, but alas even after telling the plasters to be careful and me thinking the varnish would be ok to seal door, the plaster burned right in.....

Did you have any luck removing the stains after ????????

Sami23

White Spirits is the best