I was so stupid. My son has a thomas train set. His little brother had a poopy mess right in the middle of tracks he had set up, so I took all of them and threw them in the bathtup to clean them. I forgot about wood expanding in water...now the pieces won't fit together. Will they go back after they dry, or have I just ruined his train set?
2006-12-20 06:41:19 · 10 answers · asked by Ecaria 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
It depends upon the wood and how long it is wet. You can try putting it someplace warm (not hot so that it catches fire) and let it air. Most of the time wood will shrink, however it can lose strength after it has been wet. That would be my fear. And be prewarned, it is warp and bend easier while it is wet, so be careful to lay it somewhere that cannot happen on accident.
2006-12-20 06:44:44 · answer #1 · answered by bluebettalady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, you just ruined it. Trying to fix the mistake will take a lot of time and effort. An idea so your son won't "throw a fit"- get a container and start putting some "I'm sorry" money in that all three of you can do. (Even an 8 month old can earn some money for picking up toys, etc.) It'll be fun watching it grow to where you can purchase the tracks.
(Go together to the store - the two of you, and find the price. Let him be part of the process. If the situation were reversed, what would you expect another adult to do? This will show him that you respect him and his things and will be a lesson for him to use when he is older and the "shoe is on the other foot".)
2006-12-20 14:51:50 · answer #2 · answered by Clarissa P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As mentioned before, it may or may not, depending on the type of wood, and it also depends on warping. However, depending HOW the tracks link together, if the pieces are still reasonably flat, you may be able to sand the connector parts so they fit again. Just don't panic -- get some sanding sponges at the hardware store (they are easier to handle) and try to smooth out the parts that don't connect well. Maybe that will work for you! Good luck.
2006-12-20 15:21:51 · answer #3 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what kind of wood it is. Most wood will contract when it dries, but not all. If the woods is pine, it should come back to almost the same size as before.
2006-12-20 14:44:32 · answer #4 · answered by capnemo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in wet conditions ........wood or u can say plant cells like any other cell would absorb water..this water increases the pressure in cell compartment which causes it to expand....in plant cell case the expansion is limited by the presence of cell wall....but as soon as the water gets drained out of the cels the cells regain there original shape and size!!!!!!!1
2006-12-20 14:48:39 · answer #5 · answered by Rakesh M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what kind of wood. If it's actual wood (i.e. pine or oak) it will probably dry and be fine. If it's MDF or something like that, no it will not shrink back.
2006-12-20 14:49:24 · answer #6 · answered by customcat2000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The key here is, even if it shrinks again, it's probably been damaged and won't shrink back to it's original shape.
2006-12-20 14:51:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no it will not come again on its original shape
2006-12-20 14:47:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not usually, unless compressed by artificial means
2006-12-20 14:43:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
maybe
2006-12-20 14:47:02 · answer #10 · answered by JAMES 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋