The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just picked up a VV-240 Victrola with a recent oil/liquid stain made on the top of the lid from someone knocking over an air freshner that was sitting on it. I was in the process of cleaning it up with GoJo and 0000 steel wool and hoped the stain would come off but no luck. It looks like I have spread it out more.

Does anyone one know how to remove the stain?

Thanks,

AR

If it is still fairly fresh talcum powder can absorb it.

Don't laugh, but I removed a HUGE water stain from the top of my 10-50 using mayonnaise after a friend who works for Ethan Allen mentioned it to me. It worked! It may take a few tries, but it can't hurt anything. I've also heard toothpaste works, but I've never tried that.

Sean

Consider trying n-heptane yet make sure to test it in another area first. It's a very gentle non-polar solvent that can absorb and evaporate non-polar liquids like oil.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heptane

Heptane (and its many isomers) is widely applied in laboratories as a non-polar solvent. As a liquid, it is ideal for transport and storage. In the grease spot test, heptane is used to dissolve an oil spot to show the previous presence of organic compounds on a stained paper. This is done by shaking the stained paper in a heptane solution for about half a minute.

It's sold under the name n-heptane, Bestine and Beacon 201B....it is really great for removing sticky stuff from surfaces and it does attack most all plastics/polymers.

Ken Flaherty

I've never tried this on wood, but I once used cornstarch to get greasy cake frosting off a suede shoe (yeah) and it worked. Put it on, let it sit a minute, gently scrubbed with a toothbrush. Seemed to absorb the oil, worked great. I don't know if this will work on wood but I think if the wood is unfinished or has finish damage this shouldn't add more oil, at least.

I just ordered some New Life Furniture Masque - Brandon recommended it to me.....

Thanks everyone for the tips. I appreciate it!! The mayonnaise didn't work for me. I'll have to try the other tips to see how it goes.

AR