Cause of stain losing its pigmentation?

[welshwind]

I have a strange situation. In the galley below the sink and right above the flooring, the stain has lost its pigmentation. The varnish does NOT APPEAR to be damaged - it is not flaking or appear cracked. However, the rest of the woodwork is this nice cherry color and this area (about 24" X 3") is much more blonde.

Thoughts? Remedies? I'm thinking I'm going to have to sand it down, re-stain and re-varnish. I prefer to know what caused the issue first so I can prevent it from re-occurring.

Thanks.

[jr438234606]

It sounds like the varnish has separated from the wood underneath in that spot. This always causes light spots, even if the varnish is not flaking away. Water penetrating the wood can cause this separation. Is your galley sink leaking? If that's the case, the only way to make it go away is to remove the unbonded varnish and re-apply. On the other hand, if it were me, I would go back with formica/laminate.

[hellosailor]

"below the sink "
Water leak carrying water and bleach into that wood from above or behind?

Or heavy sunlight that stripes just that section, bleaching it from UV?

Either way, wood and stain don't just "go blond", it takes UV or chemicals to change the color. If you really want to fix it you'll need to figure out the culprit first. Only then, strip and restain and reseal.

[sailingdog]

Welshwind-

This is definitely a situation where a photo would help.

[welshwind]

Thanks - The photo is a good idea. Unfortunately, I won't be up at the boat for a bit (kids' soccer and volleyball always get in the way :-)

I'll take a picture and post, but it likely won't be for a couple of weeks.

Thanks for the thoughts.

[camaraderie]

Water damage is my guess.

[Giulietta]

Nahhh...stains and blemishes...normally Liver diseases...

Stay off the boose.....get your liver checked