How can I remove the grime on round spindles?
by
Cindy Rubin
This table (actually 2) was in our family room when I was a little girl... loooong time agoNow, my grown 24 year old son wants it for his new place. But... of course. "not looking like that!" Can't blame him. 40 years of dust, wax, polish = a whole lot of grime.I have to say I am not even being very successful cleaning the flat surfaces of it... but those spindles??? have tried dawn& water, krud kutter, TSP substitute and goo gone with no luck. I have NO idea how to clean them and then sand them for painting.Any ideas?
It is hard to clean those spindles. I would probably use an old toothbrush and some warm soapy water. For sanding, the small sanding blocks that are like a foam block would work pretty well. If you are painting and have a paint sprayer it is great for the spindle legs. Good luck.
Your next step would be to use turpentine or linseed oil to remove the grime. To clean small grooves in the turned spindles, use a piece of twine that you've soaked in turpentine.
Spray Nine (Home Depot and Walmart) is one of the best grease cutters I have ever used. Spray it on and let it sit for 30 minutes or more. Use a small bristle brush to scrub the grooves. Rinse and dry. After it is dry use flexible sandpaper- https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/products/3m-pro-grade-precision-ultra-flexible-sanding-roll
to get into all the grooves. This is a bit of work, but doable.