On Sun, 21 Sep 2003 20:49:39 +0000 (UTC), "Dave Jennings"
wrote:

I carefully wrapped it in shrinkwrap to seal it,

Bad idea, especially over summer. You can get plasticisers leaking
out from the wrapping and either damaging the finish, or even bonding
to it.

If you have to do this, a layer of cheap cotton over the wood will
save a lot of trouble.

What's the best way to clean this off - it isn't wiping off cleanly, it
feels more "waxy" almost - so it'll need a little effort to bring it
back.

A summer's heat has probably soaked it into old wax polishes. Some
sort of solvent will be needed to clean off the polish. Plain old
white spirit will probably do the job, but test an insignificant bit
first to check for finish stability. Don't use meths - there's quite
possibly some shellac on there that you'ld like to preserve. If you
have trouble with oiliness afterwards, then isopropanol can be used to
clean that, but don;t use it excessively, or you'll risk the finishes
again.


Also, I have a wooden chest of drawers and the wooden runners cause the
drawer to judder and drag terribly when you use them.

Probably worn runners. Any cabinetmaker could sort it, usually by
adding a new slip on each side or underneath the drawer - sometimes
inside the cabinet instead.

As a runner lubricant, beeswax is quite good.

--
Smert' spamionam