For most wood, your cleaning efforts work on the finish, not the bare wood. You need to know what that finish is so you don't accidentally strip it, soften it or create some ugly film. A mystery finish may yield its clues to the linseed oil test. Rub a couple of drops of boiled linseed oil on the underside or unseen section of the wood, which will absorb the oil if the finish is also oil-based. If the linseed oil beads on the surface, test the inconspicuous spot with a clean rag soaked in acetone. Rub the spot gently to determine if the finish is lacquer -- dissolves in about 30 seconds; varnish or shellac -- gets gel-like and sticky in a couple of minutes; or polyurethane -- no effect.
Wax Build-up
Wax build-up is not your friend. It dulls your fine furniture and creates a sticky film over the wood. Remove sticky wax build-up with a soft lint-free cloth dipped in mineral spirits or a cleanser-conditioner specially formulated to dissolve the wax -- not the furniture finish. Always test the product on an inconspicuous spot to avoid calamity. And work with the minimal amount of cleaner on the cloth, refolding it to a new spot frequently so you're not just spreading around the dissolved wax.
Kitchen Grease
When kitchen cabinets are coated with a sticky greasy film, break out the oil soap or degreasers to cut through it. Murphy's Oil Soap and Pine-Sol (both need to be diluted) work well on grease film. A mixture of trisodium phosphate cleaner (TSP) and water will take care of grease buildup and most other stickiness without damaging finishes or wood -- but always test it on your wood just for your own peace of mind. Try a degreasing dishwashing liquid formulated to cut oils and grease without killing your hands. Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid is used to remove tar and grease from marine animals and birds after oil spills without harming the wildlife. It might work its magic in your kitchen.
I would like to remove the metal strip and laminate backsplash and replace with tile. Does anyone know what I would need to do to remove that metal piece? Will it pop...
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Try mineral spirits on a rag.
If you want to strip, try Citristrip, easy to work with.
Try TSP or sanding it down.
You can also try Goo Gone on a rag.
For most wood, your cleaning efforts work on the finish, not the bare wood. You need to know what that finish is so you don't accidentally strip it, soften it or create some ugly film. A mystery finish may yield its clues to the linseed oil test. Rub a couple of drops of boiled linseed oil on the underside or unseen section of the wood, which will absorb the oil if the finish is also oil-based. If the linseed oil beads on the surface, test the inconspicuous spot with a clean rag soaked in acetone. Rub the spot gently to determine if the finish is lacquer -- dissolves in about 30 seconds; varnish or shellac -- gets gel-like and sticky in a couple of minutes; or polyurethane -- no effect.
Wax Build-up
Wax build-up is not your friend. It dulls your fine furniture and creates a sticky film over the wood. Remove sticky wax build-up with a soft lint-free cloth dipped in mineral spirits or a cleanser-conditioner specially formulated to dissolve the wax -- not the furniture finish. Always test the product on an inconspicuous spot to avoid calamity. And work with the minimal amount of cleaner on the cloth, refolding it to a new spot frequently so you're not just spreading around the dissolved wax.
Kitchen Grease
When kitchen cabinets are coated with a sticky greasy film, break out the oil soap or degreasers to cut through it. Murphy's Oil Soap and Pine-Sol (both need to be diluted) work well on grease film. A mixture of trisodium phosphate cleaner (TSP) and water will take care of grease buildup and most other stickiness without damaging finishes or wood -- but always test it on your wood just for your own peace of mind. Try a degreasing dishwashing liquid formulated to cut oils and grease without killing your hands. Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid is used to remove tar and grease from marine animals and birds after oil spills without harming the wildlife. It might work its magic in your kitchen.