Cleaning wooden chairs

Posted by Charles Martin in Seattle on July 9, 2005, 4:07 pm

I have a set of Heywood Wakefield dining chairs - blond
wood, good varnish, but they're dull and grimy. I'd like
to clean and shine up the wood when I re-do the cloth seats.
What's the best stuff to clean furniture with? I've been
told standard wax, and also oil and fine steel wool. I don't
want or need to strip the varnish.

Thanks.

[remove "unwanted hair" to reply]

Posted by Roger Taylor on July 9, 2005, 8:18 pm

" I have a set of Heywood Wakefield dining chairs - blond

> wood, good varnish, but they're dull and grimy. I'd like
> to clean and shine up the wood when I re-do the cloth seats.
> What's the best stuff to clean furniture with? I've been
> told standard wax, and also oil and fine steel wool. I don't
> want or need to strip the varnish.

I tend to wax only wood that has an initial wax finish, not over good
varnish, and wax is not a cleaner. Further, should you revarnish in the
future, the wax would resist being coated by varnish.You might try a sponge
and soap, such as Murphey's Oil Soap, but I would steer clear of steel wool
if the varnish is in good shape. Oil is for previously oiled - not
varnished - wood. Bottom Line - stick to cleaning it - no wax, no oil, nor
steel wool. Your local paint/hardware store will have both advice, and
products that clean varnished but grimy surfaces.

Posted by Charles Martin in Seattle on July 10, 2005, 4:57 pm

wrote:

>I tend to wax only wood that has an initial wax finish, not over good
>varnish, and wax is not a cleaner. Further, should you revarnish in the
>future, the wax would resist being coated by varnish.You might try a sponge
>and soap, such as Murphey's Oil Soap, but I would steer clear of steel wool
>if the varnish is in good shape.

Makes sense. The hardware person said that Murphy's Oil Soap might
dull an old varnish finish, though it would be fine for one that was still
new and tough. Mine is somewhere in between.

Thanks for the help. I might try a different hardware store...

[remove "unwanted hair" to reply
]

o-------= Charles Martin =--o

Posted by nospambob on July 10, 2005, 11:22 am

Look around in www.refinishwizard.com forum for cleaning tables. If
memory serves naptha is suggested often as it will strip any wax and
AMY wax left will cause recoating problems.

On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 16:57:41 GMT, Charles Martin in Seattle

>wrote:

>>I tend to wax only wood that has an initial wax finish, not over good
>>varnish, and wax is not a cleaner. Further, should you revarnish in the
>>future, the wax would resist being coated by varnish.You might try a sponge
>>and soap, such as Murphey's Oil Soap, but I would steer clear of steel wool
>>if the varnish is in good shape.

>Makes sense. The hardware person said that Murphy's Oil Soap might
>dull an old varnish finish, though it would be fine for one that was still
>new and tough. Mine is somewhere in between.
>Thanks for the help. I might try a different hardware store...
>[remove "unwanted hair" to reply
>]
>o-------= Charles Martin =--o

Posted by Phisherman on July 13, 2005, 10:40 pm

The easiest method is to use BriWax. It comes in 4 or 5 shades
including clear. Cleans, polishes, restores, and wax in one step,
about $15 a can. Look for it at a woodworkers store or possibly
online.

On Sat, 09 Jul 2005 20:07:51 GMT, Charles Martin in Seattle

>I have a set of Heywood Wakefield dining chairs - blond
>wood, good varnish, but they're dull and grimy. I'd like
>to clean and shine up the wood when I re-do the cloth seats.
>What's the best stuff to clean furniture with? I've been
>told standard wax, and also oil and fine steel wool. I don't
>want or need to strip the varnish.
>Thanks.
>[remove "unwanted hair" to reply]

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