On Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:54:07 -0800 (PST), the infamous Sonny
scrawled the following:

Someone recently told me a formula for cleaning antiques (the finish
in good shape, but needed good cleaning) is equal parts mineral
spirits, linsed oil, turpentine and water. Applied with steel wool and
gently rubbed onto the piece. I was not informed that this is good for
all appications, though it seemed to be implied that it was.

Steel wool doesn't clean finish, it removes it, no matter how gently
it's used.


I've never heard of this formula and I sense this formula's chemistry
is questionable. It wouldn't be expensive or difficult to test it, but
I'm not confident this mixture will properly clean a dirty or
moderately dirty antique.

I can see where it might clean both waterborne contaminants and
dissolvable contaminants, but it's going to take finish off as well,
horribly. Maybe that's what the linseed oil is for, to replace it as
you scour the old finish off. It's probably a perfectly good finish
remover for Granny who can't afford to take the piece to a paid
refinisher and who doesn't care about value except for her use, right
now. It will likely remove and smooth a crusty, crackled old finish,
leaving a semi-hardening oil finish in its place. But it won't be a
finish you'd want to show to your own granny.

What does he want you to use to refinish it after his cleaning?


I already have good cleaning techniques, but I'm always willing to
learn a new one. This one may be better for certain applications, than
the one(s) I use.

Opinions, comments?

Have the customer sign a waiver saying that he wants you to try this
procedure and let him sign off on your disclaimer. Then do what he
wants, if you dare, with him there. Be sure to add time for gnarled
old finish removal and complete refinishing to the piece, destroying
its antique value, if any, in the process. It's his "antique".

Or see if he'll go with Naily's advice. It's good.

---
"Some of us are wondering if we have created a monster."
Kevin Vranes, climate scientist, University of Colorado
talking about global warming hysteria, January, 2007.