Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2004 From: "Carol M. Marsh Subject: Cast Iron question This has nothing to do with cast iron, but a while back a friend told me that old heat scars on furniture such as dining room tables can be treated with vegetable oil and cigarette ashes. Has anyone else ever heard of this home remedy? I've not tried it, but my friend offered to contribute some ashes. :-) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Ellen Rains Harris Cigar ashes are actually better. No paper ash. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Sibyl Smirl I use the ashes thing on some things like the white "blush" nice finishes will get from a wet glass or the like. I may use either (a little) water or oil furniture polish to make the paste. What you're doing is like scouring a sink with Comet or Bon Ami, removing the top layer or two of molecules, but the ashes are a much milder, "softer" abrasive. Cigar ashes are supposed to be still better, but I've never tried that. It takes a lot of elbow grease, but it does work. I use a rag or paper towel to do the rubbing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: John NZ If the furniture is medium to dark stain, youi can use tea leaves and linseed oil. However what often happens is that the piece has been varnished, and you get a *white* stain. As far as i am aware there is little you can do for this, especially if it is *deep* other than have the piece stripped and revarnished. By and large linseed oil seems to be the proffesional polishers preferred, oil, but dinna ask me why. In the arrogance of youth I once used fish oil. Dear mum never forgave me.