How do you fix an oil stain on raw wood?

Betty Drda
by Betty Drda
I started putting furniture oil on the top of a bookcase, thinking oil instead of wax would just have the natural wood come through. Clearly I was not thinking clearly that day. What should I do? Sand? Use a jigsaw to cut a whole to make it look like a knot hole? Can I paint over oil?
2" x 3" oil spot
  15 answers
  • Doug Doug on Aug 20, 2015
    Don't know if this will work, but try covering up the stain with several sheets of newspaper and run a hot iron over it. The heat may let the oil stain soak into the paper. It certainly works on water stains on polished furniture and candle wax on carpets.
  • Jennifer Nolen Jennifer Nolen on Aug 20, 2015
    I successfully did chalk paint over a dresser that had a similar stain (someone had left a hair conditioner bottle on the unsealed wood).
  • Dou1595935 Dou1595935 on Aug 20, 2015
    Try using simple green to remove it and if that don't work you can paint over it with oil base paint.
  • Loretta Loretta on Aug 20, 2015
    try covering the stain with cornstarch... I would say at least 24 hours. The cornstarch will absorb the oil. Or there is a product called Lestoil that might do it but then you are going to have to also wet the wood and it will take longer for that to dry then you probably want to wait. Good luck!
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Aug 20, 2015
    My first thought was that looks great! I'd oil the whole piece! The deeper, richer tone of the grain that resulted enhances.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Aug 20, 2015
    I think it would be less trouble for you if you oil the oil piece. Let it dry and see how it looks.
  • Kathy Peterson Kathy Peterson on Aug 20, 2015
    The oil has penetrated the wood, it will not come out. I would just oil the whole piece, it will take about 3 applications, drying completely between each one.
  • Susan E Susan E on Aug 20, 2015
    The most amazing oil remover for car oil leaks from asphalt/concrete is cat litter. You might try some on the spot. It works pretty quickly. Clean cat litter, not used cat litter.
    • 861650 861650 on Aug 21, 2015
      @Susan E Love your idea! People have used cat litter in their driveways to soak up oil for a long time. And, if all does not come up the first time, apply 2 to 3 times.
  • Ken Ken on Aug 21, 2015
    Go to Walmart or an auto parts store and get some spray carburetor cleaner or brake cleaner, take the piece outside as it will stink for a bit, but spray the spot and surrounding area,give it about a minute and blot the area with paper towels. Wear Gloves as the cleaner will dry out your skin severely and WEAR GOGGLES as it is not good to get it in your eyes under any circumstances !!! repeat as needed.
  • Joan Joan on Aug 23, 2015
    You can paint over oil. If you put a good coat of shellac over it, you can then use chalk paint. I once painted an wonderful old shelf unit that had been in a garage with a leaky oil can on it for years. 2 shelves were absolutely soaked with old grotty oil. I removed what I could, then shellaced (2 coats) and painted over it with Annie Sloan's and it looks great now!
  • Faye Faye on Aug 23, 2015
    I used tung oil on my coffee table after I sanded it down. It takes about 3 coats. You rub it on and let it dry because of the oil makes some wood fibers stand up you have to sand lightly between it coat. Make sure you use like a cheese cloth to wipe it down after each light sanding.Then add another coat.That came out beautiful.. I also did unfinished end tables and they are still great..You would have the same result with your book case.
  • Kristin Topping Kristin Topping on Sep 16, 2015
    Such a splendid article you have given here.I liked your ideas and tips that you have shared. If you consult professionals of certified flooring company you can discover more innovative ideas for installing this floor. I also deal with flooring company in and around California that provides fabulous flooring ideas that suits any budget. Great article.
  • Betty Drda Betty Drda on Sep 17, 2015
    Below is the before and after pics of the oil stain. It's GONE. Thanks to Simple Green.
    • Dou1595935 Dou1595935 on Sep 18, 2015
      Dear Mrs Betty I'm so glad that the simple green worked for you that was my husband's suggestion he is an carpenter and a remodeler so I went to him for help on this one and he Strickland believes in his simple green so I will pass on to him that it worked so thank you for letting us know and you have a great day Glenda Douglas.
  • Susan E Susan E on Sep 18, 2015
    @1 result is available, use up and down arrow keys to navigate.Betty DrdaThank you for posting the solution. What a "simple" answer. So glad it worked for you. It will help a lot of us in the future.
  • Cornelius Cornelius on Aug 22, 2020

    Can I use simple green on my unfinished wood table because simple green says on its label not to use on unfinished wood? Confused 😐