Hi, this is my first time on here so I think I’m posting in the right place. I recently came across an old beam that I’m planning to use a shelf in my apartment. I have some carpentry experience however I’ve never worked with old wood and I’m not sure how to clean it/treat it, before I put it in my house.
For some reason I’m having trouble uploading thru the site so here’s a few linked pics:
http://imgur.com/8qX6Fpe
http://imgur.com/uAyVVyM
http://imgur.com/SVEQB4N
it’s some paint and spackle that I’m planning in cleaning of but I’d like to keep it looking rustic and am worried that sanding it may flatten the texture of it to much. Your help and advice is appreciated.
joe
Replies
Joe,
Wire brush it and then hand sand to desired finish. Gotta love old wood!
KK
First (after vacuuming) try detergent and a stiff bristle brush.
Spackle/plaster may soften if soaked with vinegar or weak muratic acid -- worth a try.
For the paint, try a stiff wire brush first, working with the grain. But spot sanding or some dabs of paint remover may be necessary. (Be careful with paint remover as it will likely leave a stain.)
You can use what's known as "wood bleach" (oxalic acid or one of a few other chemicals) to lighten darkened wood, if you wish, but the stuff sometimes leaves the wood looking kind of fake clean, so test first.
Thanks for the comments! Should I seal the wood with anything?
Thanks for the comments! Should I seal the wood with anything?
After you get it cleaned up you probably should seal it somehow, if you're going to use it unpainted. Simplest is a thin coat of shelac, and you can work from there through various 'sealers", varnishes, varnish/stain combos, etc. Not really sure what's ideal for your case -- probably either the shelac or a simple varnish, if you want the "natural" color.
Hopefully others will chime in with more suggestions.
Seal it
It will help keep the surface from grabbing and holding on to dust. Less buildup over the years and might deepen the tone of the wood. Whether you stain or not. Waterborne urethanes, not much change. Oil based, more so.
cleanup just like you do to the show side on the hidden side. Experiment with that side.