What methods / products are suggested for removing accumulated wax / polish from
furniture? Item in question is an early 60s console stereo cabinet, believe the finish to
be lacquer.

Thanks.

Doug

"Doug" wrote:


What methods / products are suggested for removing accumulated wax /
polish from
furniture? Item in question is an early 60s console stereo cabinet,
believe the finish to
be lacquer.
----------------------------------------------
Guess it depends on what the person you hire to repair the damaged
spots first wants to use.

Lew

Lew Hodgett wrote:
"Doug" wrote:


What methods / products are suggested for removing accumulated wax /
polish from
furniture? Item in question is an early 60s console stereo cabinet,
believe the finish to
be lacquer.
----------------------------------------------
Guess it depends on what the person you hire to repair the damaged
spots first wants to use.

Lew


How about using a fret saw to aid in this repair?

Doug, why don't you try the repair on a piece of furniture that you
don't care about. Maybe pick up something at Goodwill, if necessary?

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions - naphtha it is!

Please excuse my delayed reply. After several days of trying to find out why my initial
message header would not download - along with all replies - tried a suggestion provided
by Arthur T. posted on alt.usenet.offline-reader.forte-agent, to turn off filters and
sample a range of headers that would cover the date range that was missing. Although I
had checked all filters several times - once turned off several new headers downloaded.
Good news, however do not know what filter blocked my message.

Now for the rest of the story - I had previously solicited input from the group regarding
recommendations for repair of impact damage to the top of a 60s vintage stereo cabinet.
The near unanimous guidance was hire a pro furniture repair person.

Was contacted by a gentleman that has a large collection of vintage Magnavox stereos and
TVs. He strongly suggested not attempting to refinish the cabinet as the likelihood of a
desirable matching result would be slim to none.

He suggested the following - as has been his practice with his collection:

**********
1. Be sure the cabinet is clean.
2. Use a Mohawk touch-up pen that is the same color as your finish...these pens look just
like a magic-marker and come in Maple, Cherry, Mahogany, etc., etc.
3. Light scratches will virtually disappear with the Mohawk pen, and deep scratches can
be filled with the correct colored furniture stick...which is like a big crayon...you rub
it perpendicular to the scratch and it fills it...excess is removed by GENTLY going over
the area with 0000 or even 00000 steel wool
4. Get the correct-finish color HOWARD's "restore a finish" liquid...comes in a can. Use
0000/00000 steel wool with the HOWARD's product applied and go over the entire cabinet
with the grain...always moving the steel wool gently (i.e. very little pressure). The
Howard's product is NOT a harsh chemical that dries like a lacquer, instead, it's very
gentle and "feeds" the wood and wipes off easily and does NO harm to the original finish.
5. Wipe off the entire cabinet with a clean cloth towel/cloth.
6. Repeat as necessary if the cabinet still has a bad spot or two.

Unless you really are experienced, DO NOT:

1. Sand or remove the original finish
2. Spray or brush any lacquer or other permanent (i.e. those that dry like paint)
restoration chemicals...you will very likely ruin the cabinet beyond the repair of anyone
but a real expert.
*************

Although the large impact damage cannot be properly addressed with the Mohawk Fil-Stik, I
wanted to try it out on the smaller nicks / dings.

I got the best matching Fil-Stik and tried it out - color match was near perfect. Problem
was when I went to wipe the excess with either a soft cloth or 0000 steel wool, all
material was removed - even that in the depression.

The store manager where I purchased the Fil-Stik was quite knowledgeable about the use /
application of this item and suggested that excess wax / polish was likely preventing good
adhesion.

He also provided contact information for a pro furniture repair guy for the large impact
damage. He commented these guys can take the worst scratch, gouge, etc. and make it
appear as if it was never there. Just what I need!

Look forward to trying the Fil-Stik again after cleaning with naphtha and better results.

Being able to fix dings, scratches big / small, and other damage is a worthwhile endeavor
- will find a piece that if / when botched up is of no consequence to practice on with
shellac / burn in sticks.

Thanks again to all for the benefit of your collective experiences!

Doug


Bill wrote:

Lew Hodgett wrote:
"Doug" wrote:


What methods / products are suggested for removing accumulated wax /
polish from
furniture? Item in question is an early 60s console stereo cabinet,
believe the finish to
be lacquer.
----------------------------------------------
Guess it depends on what the person you hire to repair the damaged
spots first wants to use.

Lew


How about using a fret saw to aid in this repair?

Doug, why don't you try the repair on a piece of furniture that you
don't care about. Maybe pick up something at Goodwill, if necessary?