Asked on Apr 12, 2015

I have a pine table in the kitchen and the finish has become sticky!

Jane Wild
by Jane Wild
I really need to fix this problem.... it makes me nuts! I polyurethaned this piece about 4 years ago...sanded and poly'd. Now it's gummy. How do I get rid of the sticky?
  7 answers
  • Kathie taylor Kathie taylor on Apr 12, 2015
    I was going to say try a lemon, but after reading it again, sounds more like a tongue oil. I'm sure "Formby's" has a solution. Check with a paint store, Home Depot or if you have one of those unfinished furniture stores, call them. They sell what is needed to refinish and should even have the product.
  • Sheena Sheena on Apr 13, 2015
    You may have to strip the the finish off and redo it I'v never herd of a way to harden poll back up.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Apr 13, 2015
    I'd strip it, then wash off with paint thinner, use a fine steel wool, and wash off again. Then repoly.
  • Peg Peg on Apr 13, 2015
    Try using odorless mineral spirits. I found that worked well on a sticky table that I had. I just used a small amount on a clean cloth then used another clean cloth with water to rinse it off. My table had a polyurethane finish which was fine after I cleaned it. You can also dilute the mineral spirits if you are worried about using it full strength
  • Diane Blank Diane Blank on Apr 13, 2015
    It may be a wax build up of just normal grease from cooking in the kitchen. Try a little grease lightning (or any other degreasing agent). Spray table top, wait a few minutes and use a non abrasive cloth (microfiber is good) to remove the solution. If it is wax or grease this should do the trick!
  • Sheri N Sheri N on Apr 13, 2015
    I had the same problem on my wood floors a while back. If you have been using one of the "blue" dusters like I did on my floors it's not a great idea. Sure it saves time and they pick up dust like crazy but, they have a residue that over time ends up on your furniture. I was told that the easiest and cheapest way to remove it was to use a white vinegar and water solution on my floors. I washed my floors twice with the solution and it took care of the problem. This is just a suggestion and you might want to try this first before using a chemical on your table. And as a bonus it will also take care of the cooking grease and whatnot too!
  • Eli mackewich Eli mackewich on Apr 14, 2015
    Get formby's furniture cleaner. It will melt the sticky gunk and when cleaned with soaked extra fine steel wool, thew finish will be renewed. The problem was tour poly isn't compatible with most cleaning solutions, tables get exposed to. Formby's will get you the new non sticky finish you want.