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I have some red oak wainscoating and a custom red oak door that I (along with 100 other projects) didn’t finish while I was installing them. The wainscoating is now coated with spilled yogurt and the door has dirt and oil from hands opening and closing.
Now I have time to finish them but how should I clean the wood first?
Thanks
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Replies
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You can clean the spills with 409, but what ever you do, you still need to sand everything before you stain and finish. Wood left to the elements for a length of time is bound to have raised grain,dings,etc. Sanding also opens the wood fibers and removes most surface grime and oils. Bill Swales
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I'm with Bill on the sanding, but would rather use a solvent (lacquer thinner or acetone as a first choice, mineral spirits ok) than any water-based cleaner. I think it will remove the gunk with less chance of driving it deeper. Of course you'd need a respirator and gloves, and it will stink up the place pretty good. TSP would be my next choice as finish products will stick to traces of it. 409 leaves a residue, it seems to me.
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I have some red oak wainscoating and a custom red oak door that I (along with 100 other projects) didn't finish while I was installing them. The wainscoating is now coated with spilled yogurt and the door has dirt and oil from hands opening and closing.
Now I have time to finish them but how should I clean the wood first?
Thanks