Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
wood care
bill tucker
This is probably a stupid question for ya'll but was just wondering. Need to revitalize some old furniture and in the past would give it pass with Murphy's Oil soap and then Old English. There's probably a better and/or newer approach, so if anybody is feeling kind, sing out.
Thanks,
bill
Re: wood care *LINK*
Dick Coers
You might have more replies in the message section instead of the turning section.
Revitalize is kind of a broad term Bill. Old English is really a lot of solvent and a little scented oil, and maybe a dash of linseed oil. No long term fix there. I think most restoration people clean the furniture then apply a coat of paste wax.
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-fix-furniture-finish
Re: wood care
bill tucker
thanks - just the info needed.
bill
Re: wood care
Ron Pemberton
Thank you. Copied and saved to my computer for future reference.
Re: wood care
Tony - Memphis
I just finished that on an old clock. There are all sorts of magic potions out there... I tried cleaning with mineral spirits. After that, I just applied wax. There are so many variables here that is hard to give an answer. I tried the easiest and least invasive approach I could first. That did the trick. The current finish dictates what can be done without harm. Use the wrong solvent and you could mess things up in a hurry! Seems like there have been some articles in FWW or PWW? about this subject with a series of tests to determine the original finish. Age can tell a lot.
My dad was an antiques guy for many years and he rarely used anything but a light steel wool polish and some wax. All depends on what you are after too.
Good luck!
Tony
Re: wood care
Tom Lightner
Try "Howards"-available in paint department at Home Depot. Use 4 "O" steel wool lightly to remove any stains and work in the polish, let stand for 15-20 minutes, then polish with clean cloth! Also good for removing the build up of grime and grease from our hands on chair arms. "Howards" has no solvents or alcohol in it (I don't think!), has a citrus smell, as it lubricates the dried wood finish. Obviously, not good for lacquered finishes.
Better check the MSDS *LINK*
Dick Coers
If you are talking about Restor-a-finish, it has xylene, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, and petroleum distillates. It's actually mostly solvent. It looks like it can actually be 90% solvents by weight if light petroleum distillates are solvents.
http://howardproducts.com/files/sds/HOW-102_Restor-A-Finishrevised10022015-1.pdf
Re: Better check the MSDS
Tom Lightner
Restore a Finish is an entirely different product! Howards has none of these chemicals in it. Howards is a great product!
Howard makes....
Brian Roberts
a product called "RESTOR-A-FINISH"
http://www.howardproducts.com/product/restor-a-finish/
What is the name of the product you are referring to?
Howard has a whole line of wood care products *LINK*
http://www.howardproducts.com/products/wood-care/
Re: Better check the MSDS
Bill Blasic
If you go to their site at the top of the home page see "SDS". Safety Data Sheets you will see that they do have all that stuff in their product.