This video is by Billy from Newton Makes. In this experiment, he walks through three unusual home remedies for removing water rings from finished wood surfaces: toothpaste, mayonnaise, and fire.
Water stains can ruin the look of an otherwise beautiful woodworking project, and many woodworkers have faced the frustration of dealing with them. Billy sets out to test these popular (and sometimes risky) methods to see which actually works and what the trade-offs are.
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Understanding the Cause of Water Rings
Water rings often form when moisture becomes trapped in the wood’s finish. White rings usually indicate that the moisture hasn’t gone very deep—it’s stuck in the top layer of the finish. Dark rings suggest the water has penetrated below the surface and into the wood fibers.
Different finishes like lacquer, shellac, and polyurethane each react differently to water exposure. That means not every fix will work the same across all projects. Billy uses lacquer for his tests but notes that results may vary depending on your finish type.
First Method: Toothpaste
Toothpaste is a go-to home remedy for surface stains on furniture. It contains mild abrasives, so in theory, it can help buff out a shallow stain without damaging the finish underneath.
Billy tests both whitening and non-whitening toothpaste on a stained test board. After letting the paste sit briefly, he wipes it off to compare results. Surprisingly, the non-whitening version performs slightly better—possibly because it has fewer chemical additives.
However, both types leave a light residue and neither fully removes the water ring. The method offers limited improvement and may not be ideal for high-end pieces. It’s a low-risk option, but expectations should be modest.
Second Method: Mayonnaise
The next method tested is mayonnaise, which sounds odd but has a logic to it. The natural oils in mayonnaise can potentially replace oils lost in the wood finish, improving both appearance and texture.
Billy applies a generous layer to the stained area and lets it sit for a while. After wiping off the excess, the water ring is noticeably reduced. The finish looks more conditioned and slightly darker, with a subtle sheen returning to the surface.
The downside? Mayonnaise isn’t exactly the cleanest product to leave on furniture. Even after wiping, some oiliness remains. For shop-use or rustic pieces, it might be acceptable—but probably not something you’d want to try on an heirloom dining table.
Third Method: Using Fire
The boldest and riskiest method in the lineup involves fire. Billy tests the theory that applying a controlled flame over denatured alcohol can quickly evaporate moisture trapped in the finish.
He applies alcohol over the stained area, then introduces a flame to ignite it. The fire flashes quickly and evaporates the alcohol, taking the water ring with it. In just a few seconds, the stain is gone.
While the results are dramatic, the method comes with serious drawbacks. It removes some of the gloss from the finish and could easily cause damage if not done carefully. It’s not something to try casually, especially indoors or on valuable pieces.
Comparing the Three Techniques
Each of the three methods had its strengths and weaknesses:
Toothpaste offers a low-risk, partial improvement but may leave residue.
Mayonnaise produced a surprising cosmetic improvement, though it raised questions about long-term cleanliness.
The fire method worked fast and thoroughly but compromised the finish and came with obvious safety risks.
Billy concludes that while these methods can help in a pinch, they are mostly temporary or cosmetic solutions. For long-term results, sanding and refinishing the surface is still the most reliable fix.
A Creative Test with Practical Lessons
What makes this video stand out is the way Billy breaks down each remedy with both humor and a serious eye for results. He doesn’t just try the techniques—he evaluates them side-by-side and gives his honest thoughts about their usefulness.
For woodworkers who like to experiment or who are curious about non-traditional methods, this video is a fun and informative watch. Billy’s relaxed, straightforward style makes the subject approachable without glossing over the risks.
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