Water stained wood.

[mcollins07]

I have had experience with light wood being unwantedly stained with water on a water ski. I bleached it and sanded it with some success. It was a lot of work, and I was not able to completely remove the stain.

Now I am considering the purchase of a hurricane damaged boat. The interior has been flooded with about a foot of water and the interior walls stained. What are my chances of success in removing this waterline mark?
What techniques have been tried? Which ones worked? Any recommendations?

[Robert Gainer]

If this was a diesel powered boat and the engine oil is what made the stain I don’t think you will be successful at all. If it’s just a water mark you will need to clean as much as possible and then stain everything to match. You can’t clean a stain like this to be as good as new.
Good luck and all the best,
Robert Gainer

[gonzo]

One way to do it, is to clean, degrease and strip all the finish. Then stain everything a bit darker and blend in the stains. It's what a friend of mine calls "an optical solution"

[SheetWise]

How about wainscoting -- or paint and a chair rail.

[mcollins07]

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm not sure what I will use yet.

Michael