Thursday, April 15, 2010

Furniture Cleaning

I have had several calls asking for ways to
clean wood furniture. I can't name the polishing
products to stay clear of for obvious reasons,
however, I can say to read the can or bottle
looking for the words Silicone or Silicates. They
aren't the friends you want your furniture to
associate with. Silicates, especially, will give
a great sheen to the piece but there is something
in it that also breaks down the finish and will
cause dull spots to occur, thus, breaking down
the finish. After you polish stand off to the side
and look toward the piece in the light and you'll
see what I am talking about. The other awful
thing about Silicates for re finishers is that
it can get into the wood grain and causes a condition
called "fish" eye to occur making an ugly mess to
handle. I don't think there is a finish that can hold
up against these ingredients.

Years ago, when Cec and I first started refinishing,
we worked with a chemist who made up products for us,
and he gave us a recipe for cleaning the old wax or
polish build up that occurs. If you follow the instruc-
tions to the letter, you will be a happy camper, however,
if you substitute any of them you will have a Mess.

IN A GLASS JAR WITH TOP: ( METAL WILL CAUSE MIXTURE TO
TURN BLACK AND PLASTIC WILL MELT.)
1/3 CUP OF WHITE VINEGAR
1/3 CUP OF BOILED LINSEED OIL (NOT RAW)
1/3 CUP OF TURPENTINE ( NOT PAINT THINNER)

THIS COMBINATION WILL SMELL VERY STRONG AND SHOULD BE DONE
WITH GOOD VENTILATION.
RECOMMEND DOING IT IN YOUR GARAGE.

NEXT: SHAKE THIS UP, IT WILL TURN AN UGLY YELLOW. USING
#0000 STEEL WOOL YOU WANT TO DIP INTO THE MIXTURE AND RUB
YOUR FURNITURE GOING WITH THE GRAIN. TRY NOT TO CLEAN USING
A SWIRL TYPE MOTION. DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH BUILD UP YOU HAVE,
ONE APPLICATION SHOULD BE ENOUGH. AFTER THIS DRIES, TAKE A
COTTON SOFT RAG AND WIPE CLEAR. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TELL IF
YOU NEED TO REPEAT PROCEDURE. AFTER YOU HAVE REMOVED ALL THE
OLD WAX OR POLISH, THEN PUT ON NEW AND YOU WILL SEE A DIFFERENCE.

REMEMBER: STAY CLEAR OF POLISHES THAT CONTAIN SILICATES...............