How to clean old varnish, dirt accumulation from antique furniture?
Someone posted a method using denatured alcohol and another ingredient for cleaning (rather than stripping) antique furniture some time ago. Can anyone help me?
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I would try to talk to a true Antique dealer who sells furniture.
Probably linseed oil.
Hello, From the ones I have seen it was linseed oil like Kelli said.
I think youre thinking of lacquer thinner. This method will do a little more than clean your piece of furniture though. Lacquer thinner dissolves lacquer. Denatured alcohol dissolves shellac. This method is usually used to remove some of that dark alligator finish you see on some furniture. And if youre missing some finish in spots you can redistribute what you have to cover those spots.
Heres a site that explains some more.
https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/home-diy/projects/how-to-strip-wooden-furniture.htm
For cleaning Ive had good luck on some pieces using original GOJO crème style waterless hand cleaner in the tub. Best of all cleanup is easy since youre working with hand cleaner. Always test first. It dulls some finishes.