What is the best way to "clean" the wood on a weathered oak
threshhold?

I plan on refinishing it but the wood is now dirty and grey since the
old finish has worn away.

I could always aggressively sand but I was wondering whether it made
more sense to combine sanding with some type of cleaning or bleaching.
I don't want to bleach away the wood's natural color, just remove
accumulated weathering and embedded dirt.

So would you recommend cleaning in addition to sanding?
If so what chemicals and/or combinations? (bleach? oxalic acid?
hydrogen peroxide? other?)
What strengths?
Any suggested brands?

Thanks,
Jeff

On Sun, 18 Nov 2007 21:21:02 GMT, blueman wrote:

What is the best way to "clean" the wood on a weathered oak
threshhold?

I plan on refinishing it but the wood is now dirty and grey since the
old finish has worn away.

I could always aggressively sand but I was wondering whether it made
more sense to combine sanding with some type of cleaning or bleaching.
I don't want to bleach away the wood's natural color, just remove
accumulated weathering and embedded dirt.

So would you recommend cleaning in addition to sanding?
If so what chemicals and/or combinations? (bleach? oxalic acid?
hydrogen peroxide? other?)
What strengths?
Any suggested brands?

Thanks,
Jeff

You can use a rag dampened with mineral spirits. But, the best is
sanding maybe using 100 grit, 150 grit then 220 grit. If you decide
to use a water-based cleaning product, allow the threshold to
completely dry (for a week or so) before applying a urethane, poly, or
varnish product.

On Nov 18, 2:21 pm, blueman wrote:
What is the best way to "clean" the wood on a weathered oak
threshhold?

I plan on refinishing it but the wood is now dirty and grey since the
old finish has worn away.

I could always aggressively sand but I was wondering whether it made
more sense to combine sanding with some type of cleaning or bleaching.
I don't want to bleach away the wood's natural color, just remove
accumulated weathering and embedded dirt.

So would you recommend cleaning in addition to sanding?
If so what chemicals and/or combinations? (bleach? oxalic acid?
hydrogen peroxide? other?)
What strengths?
Any suggested brands?

Thanks,
Jeff



I recommend that you use a card scraper to remove the old finish and
worn wood. sanding will round the outside corners and be hard to get
to the inside corners. the scraper will be faster and leave a nicer
surface.

then give it a substantial finish with several coats of a durable
varnish.