Stinky Wood

[Nocturnarcade]

Hi Everyone, yes the subject is tacky and amusing but it is to the point.  I'm in the process of restoring a Donkey Kong Jr. cab from the ground up.  I think I detect a little dry rot or something going on in the plywood, the unit just isn't pleasant.  I have hosed it down with a pressure washer and sanded down the sides in preparation for painting.  The musty-ness is still present in the interior of the empty cab.  Not super foul, but noticeable.  Now, I'm wary of adding any more water to the problem, is there a technique or can someone recommend a product that I can use to apply to the wood to eliminate the stagnant odor?  More of a musty odor, no rot present.  I think it languished in someone's crappy basement too long.

Thanks in advance for all advice

[NiteWalker]

Be careful and check for mold; that stuff isn't very healthy to breathe in. What is the cabinet made of? If it's particleboard you'll pretty much have to wait it out as PB is very porous. Make sure to give it lots of time to air out. You can try febreeze too. If it's made of real wood you may be able to sand of the smell.

You think that's bad? Get a whiff of some freshly cut zebrawood...

[Nocturnarcade]

It's all plywood, nothing is warped.  I did check thoroughly for mold and none was obvious, but I appreciate your info about breathing that stuff.  Plywood looks healthy enough and isn't even discolored.  I'm going to try the air-it-out method you suggested when we get some warmer weather.  Maybe some time in the sunlight will just take care of it.  No apparent water damage to the cab either, I couldn't make heads or tails of it.  there was filth and grime that came off when pressure washed, so I guess it's just a matter of time for whatever stink crept into the wood to work itself back out again.  Might try a gentle sanding, then some outdoor exposure.  Thanks

[NiteWalker]

Yeah it sounds like it needs to be aired out. I read about a guy who stored furniture in his family's garage which also doubled as their smoking room. It was a temporary thing while his house was being finished or something. When he got his furniture it reeked of stagnant cigarettes. The only thing to be done was to give it a thorough cleaning and let it air out. The smell eventually subsided to a tolerable level.

It would be nice to see the work in progress of the restoration too. 

[Nocturnarcade]

Well that's a relief to know it's probably not that big a deal.  As far as documenting the restoration goes, I am recording the process and taking pictures.  I want to post a detailed blog when I'm done, with whatever information I can, to help others who have helped me along the way.  I think it's great when others detail the process of their restorations as well and openly encourage everyone to do the same.

[Nocturnarcade]

Here are a couple of shots for the "before" category

My biggest problem is getting a replacement Sanyo monitor, the CRT neck was broken and as-is when I purchased the machine.  I figured for fifty bucks, It would make a good restoration project.

[fjl]

Some bleach watered down in a spray bottle should get rid of your fungus problems. Might cause some damage to the wood though. Perhaps nothing.

as for cleaning wood, you can use something called Murphy Oil. It's made for cleaning wood. It's basically soap with oil. It doesn't stain nor does it leave an oily residue behind. Works really good actually and has a somewhat pleasant smell.

[NiteWalker]

Isn't the murphy's oil for finished woods though? I'd be worried about seepage into the wood. Maybe try mineral spirits because it evaporates quickly.

[ScottS]

Rather than waiting the months it will take for the odors to disappear, why not just paint the cabinet inside and out? If you're sure it's clean and there's no water damager or mold, I would think that a good coat of primer and some paint would seal in the stench. Of course, if it turns out there is mold or water damage then painting will probably compound the problem...

[ChadTower]

Put a few small bowls of baking soda in it.  Not one big bowl, a few small bowls, or maybe just spread it out thin on plates.  Baking soda absorbs odor FAST but does it only on the surface of the pile.  That's why people keep it in their fridge.

[shardian]

Probably rat pee & poop smell.

Just dump some baking soda into the bottom of the cabinet. You can vacuum it up later.
Then prime the inside of the cabient good after a good cleaning.

[Nocturnarcade]

thanks for the ideas everyone, I will consider a method and post the results.

[ktulu]

thanks for the ideas everyone, I will consider a method and post the results.

Did you ever pick a method? Any good results to report.

I have been able to use febreeze to get rid of smells..of course you have to put up wit the febreeze smell for awhile but I just picked up 2 cabinets that i started realizing they smelled as I was tieing them down...had a bad headache so I guess I wasn't paying attention at first....or was to excited?

Anyway I just wiped em down with febreeze and I think I could hear the febreeze particles being slaughtered by this unseen evil entity(smell). The screams of pain as the smell retaliated. Made me dizzy it is so horrific.

I think I'm going to dump a big ole bag of soda in them and see if that helps.

[Nocturnarcade]

Be careful and check for mold; that stuff isn't very healthy to breathe in. What is the cabinet made of? If it's particleboard you'll pretty much have to wait it out as PB is very porous. Make sure to give it lots of time to air out. You can try febreeze too. If it's made of real wood you may be able to sand of the smell.

Hi NiteWalker,
It's plywood, and no mold or residue.  I think I might go the baking soda route, with a light sponge bath on Murphy's wood soap. 

[Nocturnarcade]

thanks for the ideas everyone, I will consider a method and post the results.

Did you ever pick a method? Any good results to report.

I have been able to use febreeze to get rid of smells..of course you have to put up wit the febreeze smell for awhile but I just picked up 2 cabinets that i started realizing they smelled as I was tieing them down...had a bad headache so I guess I wasn't paying attention at first....or was to excited?

Anyway I just wiped em down with febreeze and I think I could hear the febreeze particles being slaughtered by this unseen evil entity(smell). The screams of pain as the smell retaliated. Made me dizzy it is so horrific.

I think I'm going to dump a big ole bag of soda in them and see if that helps.

The baking soda is what I'm going with for now, I have sprinkled a layer in the bottom of the cab, where the funk was most noticeable.  Then I'll proceed with another vacuum and a mild warm detergent dabbed with a sponge.  Then I'm going to sand down the interior a bit.  I'll post with results
Jeff

[ktulu]

Woke up this morning and was pleasantly surprised that the smell had subsided..so I thought. Apparently it was only sleeping in late. Once the temps rose a few degrees it returned. I vacuumed out the cabinets and got a new 12lb bag of soda. I assume this stuff wouldn't be any more harmful than dust? I mean baking soda doesn't react with anything does it?

I was thinking about getting one of those dusters you use to dust roses and loading it with soda and just covering the cabs inside and out. Then I can use a combination of light air and the vaccum to clean up the mess.

One of the two cabinets will be repainted but I hate to paint the inside as I would like to keep it original looking.

Any thoughts?

[knave]

You might try a light misting of that stuff that neutralises pet odors.  It has enzymes that help eliminate the stink.  Putting it in the sun might help with the smell too but who knows if it will hurt anything.

[TOK]

I agree with painting the inside to "seal" the wood. My buddy used this to fix a stinky machine.
He scrubbed the inside with some kind of anti-bacterial cleanser, let it dry outside, then painted the entire inside of the machine.

[ChadTower]

? I mean baking soda doesn't react with anything does it?

It might work a little better if you throw a quart of vinegar on it.   

(don't do it, that's a joke based on the fact that baking soda is specifically a reactive agent)

[HaRuMaN]

? I mean baking soda doesn't react with anything does it?

It might work a little better if you throw a quart of vinegar on it.   

(don't do it, that's a joke based on the fact that baking soda is specifically a reactive agent)

Oh come on... you should have let him do it!   

[ChadTower]

Eh, for the sake of the game, I warned him off.  I'd have let him do it in his car or someplace like that.   

[rovingmind]

kilz original formula primer/sealer for oder control if the soda doesn't work.

Kilz 2 or the kilz latex works to a point but for the best smell blocking results the original formula is an oilbase and locks it in.

[ktulu]

Eh, for the sake of the game, I warned him off.  I'd have let him do it in his car or someplace like that.   

Well I think most people have discovered the fun that can be had with vinegar and baking soda. I started taking it as  a replacement for prevacid. 1/4 cup of water..1/4 teaspoon of soda and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Hold your breath and chug it quick. After a month no heartburn and no more prevacid.

The reaction to soda I was referring to was any native elements found in a typical cabinet..i.e. metal..plastic...

I think its working but my biggest problem is that it is a Zaxxon cabinet and there is a lot of hidden space in there that can't be reached without gutting the cabinet...it works so I hate doing it but its going to be disected soon. Im seriously considering building a replica cabinet. If I could only find side-art!

[SirPeale]

Well I think most people have discovered the fun that can be had with vinegar and baking soda. I started taking it as  a replacement for prevacid. 1/4 cup of water..1/4 teaspoon of soda and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Hold your breath and chug it quick. After a month no heartburn and no more prevacid.

Why are you adding vinegar?  The whole point of the baking soda is to neutralize the acid in your stomach.  1/2C water, 1/2tsp baking soda, stir/shake until completely dissolved.  Drink.  Then enjoy the burps you get for the next little bit, just like a soda burp.

[ktulu]

Well I think most people have discovered the fun that can be had with vinegar and baking soda. I started taking it as  a replacement for prevacid. 1/4 cup of water..1/4 teaspoon of soda and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Hold your breath and chug it quick. After a month no heartburn and no more prevacid.

Why are you adding vinegar?  The whole point of the baking soda is to neutralize the acid in your stomach.  1/2C water, 1/2tsp baking soda, stir/shake until completely dissolved.  Drink.  Then enjoy the burps you get for the next little bit, just like a soda burp.

Actually in this case I believe the soda neutralizes the vinegar so it doesnt burn your throat going down. I don't ask why I just know that after 5 years of prevacid daily I have little to no issues. I have tried the soda alone and it works but doesnt seem to last as long...kinda like a tums.

[Nocturnarcade]

Long overdue update, but the solution is found!

Lightly sanded the interior and sprayed with the Kilz oil base primer.  No more funk.  Now to get the sides done and settle on the correct orange to prep for sideart!

thanks everyone

Jeff

[Nocturnarcade]

thanks for the ideas everyone, I will consider a method and post the results.

Did you ever pick a method? Any good results to report.

Yes!  Some 150 grit sanding and Kilz Oil based primer applied.  no more funk. :0)

Jeff

[fjl]

You can try putting in some of those Glade air fresheners or something. If left in long enough, it will retain the smell.

[Wade]

I hose out and bleach or Bleche-Wite the inside of my plywood cabinets and they come out like new wood with no odors at all!

Wade