[PandLLittle]

Ihave an old wood bowl. It was used for making bread long ago in santa fe, the knot holes are leaking sap. I have cleaned it with lye water, and that really cleaned most of the sap out. Set in the sun to dry, snd it has started leaking again. What do i do? Thanks so much for any help. Linda

 

[PandLLittle]

ihave an old wood bowl. It was used for making bread long ago in santa fe, the knot holes are leaking sap. I have cleaned it with lye water, and that really cleaned most of the sap out. Set in the sun to dry, snd it has started leaking again. What do i do? Thanks so much for any help. Linda

i am new to woodworking.com

 

[PandLLittle]

Sounds like resin in the knots coming out. I think options are to either keep cleaning up the resin or to apply a finish coat which will act as a barrier to keep the resin in the knot.

You do not say what the board is used for at present.

If you want to clean up the resin I would use a solvent rather than lye. Perhaps acetone (the main solvent in fingernail polish remover).

If you want to try a finish coat you will need to clean off the resin with a solvent and then test that the finish will adhere to the knot. Example of a finish to try is wipe on polyurethane. May be easier for you to apply than the brush type.

Thanks so much for your help. this bowl is supposedly about a hundred years old. It is 43 inches long and 18 inches wide. I don't know what type of wood it is, but it is soft. I intend to use it for decorative use only. I really like the old primitive antiques. I have cleaned a lot of old would, but never had this problem before. thank you so much, and I will try your remedy. thanks linda