Unique Teak Desk ID, Questions  

Here is a photo of a piece of teak with speckles of calcium carbonate. This piece of teak has a LOT of them comparatively.

OK, I'm sold. That looks a lot like what I'm dealing with. After doing some reading, I'm convinced you're correct.
So... is there anything I can do about this? Most of what I found was in relation to hardwood floors.

Doesn't calcium carbonate dissolve in a weak acid? Citric? I thought that is what hard water scale is.

That's similar to what I've read, but I'm still not sure if that's something I should attempt?

Why not? You can buy citric acid crystals in grocery stores. Usually in the spice area I believe. Mix a little up dab it on with a Q-tip in an unobtrusive location and see what happens. The worst I can imagine is that the grain gets a little raised and will need a quick finish sanding before you proceed to oiling.
edit: you could use vinegar too I suppose, but citric acid doesn't smell.

Very well... you've convinced me. I tend to get to stages in projects where I convince myself that it's a make-or-break moment, and then I waffle endlessly. Thanks for the guts.

So I mixed up a potent ratio of the stuff and tested in a few spots with a paintbrush. Seemed to work, so I got ballsy and basically washed the entire top with it, using a white Scotch-Brite. Wiped clean, switched to just water, then wiped it all off. Results are pretty good... roughly 90% reduction. The remaining few offenders will be removed with a razor blade. Thanks much for the help... nearly completed here.

Great! Good to know it works so well. I wouldn't be surprised if the Danes routinely did something like this as a pre-final sanding step.

I just realized that the trim around the top of this desk is on upside down, but I don't really care because I like it better this way. Still needs another coat of oil, but it's basically done. These pictures don't really highlight the remaining imperfections, but oh well. Thanks again, all ya'll, for your help!

Lovely job mgee76, it's great to see the results of all your efforts, it was clearly worth it!

Not sure what you meant by "the trim is upside down." Nice desk !

Looks great!

SDR, if you look at one of the pictures in the first post, from k2modern, you see that the trim angles down and away from the top surface. I'm not really sure why I didn't consult this when applying the new stuff... just seemed natural and nicer looking angled up? When I saw his picture again, I thought, 'Weird, they must have put it on upside down..." heh. Anyway, doesn't matter to me. Thanks!

Oh and I should mention, in case anybody is curious... I did use Old Master's Wiping Stain in 'Cedar' on this. It was a perfect match and easy to control. Something to consider if anybody finds themselves with similar projects/color.

Ah. Thanks, mgee. Yes, it's more common for an edge to angle back than to slope outward. But both are accepted modernist solutions. Frank Lloyd Wright and his cohorts, in the early years of the last century, demonstrated both types on the fascia (edges) of their flat-roofed houses. Furniture designers often take cues from their "bigger brothers," the architects.