Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Cleaning heavily soiled antique
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09-10-00, 04:09 PM
I'm confused about how to proceed with cleaning an antique cabinet I was recently given. It's a strange old thing, with grained veneer (where the wood grain goes in diff. directions to make a pattern -- don't know the word for it) in some places, attached carvings in others. The finish is crackled in some places and not elsewhere. I'm not sure whether that's intentional or not.
It is extremely heavily soiled, to the point that it's black (and very scratched -- but I'm not as concerned about that) in places. In my ignorance I first began cleaning with Murphy's OIl soap, but I noticed that it was leaving drippy-looking areas that were lighter than the warm yellow brown of most of the wood. Then I did some researche, decided the finish was varnish (though I didn't try the acetone test, so it might be shellac -- but I don't see that there's a diff. in how to clean the two), and tried using synthetic turpentine (turpenoid, which is usually used by artists) to clean it. In some sections this seemed to be OK, but when I tried it on one of the veneer areas I can see a very faint fogging of white.
So I've tried a water-based cleaner and a solvent -- now what do I do? (Short of refinishing -- I don't really want to get involved in a huge project.)
Any help would be appreciated.
It is extremely heavily soiled, to the point that it's black (and very scratched -- but I'm not as concerned about that) in places. In my ignorance I first began cleaning with Murphy's OIl soap, but I noticed that it was leaving drippy-looking areas that were lighter than the warm yellow brown of most of the wood. Then I did some researche, decided the finish was varnish (though I didn't try the acetone test, so it might be shellac -- but I don't see that there's a diff. in how to clean the two), and tried using synthetic turpentine (turpenoid, which is usually used by artists) to clean it. In some sections this seemed to be OK, but when I tried it on one of the veneer areas I can see a very faint fogging of white.
So I've tried a water-based cleaner and a solvent -- now what do I do? (Short of refinishing -- I don't really want to get involved in a huge project.)
Any help would be appreciated.
09-10-00, 06:14 PM
Although varnish is a possibility I'd bet on shellac. Clean with standard paint thinner (mineral spirits) or naphtha.
Turpenoid, strange as it may seem, is stronger than either of these two - it was actually reamalgamating the veneer finish - that's why the white marks. These can be removed by dampening a rag with denatured alcohol and passing it over the affected areas. DO NOT LET THE RAG TOUCH THE SURFACE. All you want is the effect of the fumes, which should be enough to remove the white.
Use an old toothbrush clean out cracks and crevices.
Expect the piece to be lighter and NOT uniform in color. After all, you may be removing a centuries worth of grit,grime,oil and dust.
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George T.
Turpenoid, strange as it may seem, is stronger than either of these two - it was actually reamalgamating the veneer finish - that's why the white marks. These can be removed by dampening a rag with denatured alcohol and passing it over the affected areas. DO NOT LET THE RAG TOUCH THE SURFACE. All you want is the effect of the fumes, which should be enough to remove the white.
Use an old toothbrush clean out cracks and crevices.
Expect the piece to be lighter and NOT uniform in color. After all, you may be removing a centuries worth of grit,grime,oil and dust.
-----------
George T.