Cleaning G-Plan furniture

IM

We have an old 1970s G-Plan (style) sideboard, which I quite like, but which is in need of a bit of TLC.

If it were solid wood, I would probably use a fine wirewool with a bit of white spirit or something, but seeing as it is veneered chipboard (contiboard), I don't want to risk being too harsh.

Any suggestions???

grumpyoldgit_2

You don't mention any knocks or marks etc so...........

Fortunately G Plan used quite thick veneers providing you are careful you will get away with what you propose.
If it is just tatty varnish you want to tidy up
Alternatives:
1.try a chemical varnish remover which you apply with lint free cloth it will remove years of grime, oils etc. can be found in any good hardware store - wipe off with white spirit
2. finish with Danish Oil or
3. good beeswax brushed into the surface and buffed with a lint free cloth

Should come up better than new - G Plan has held it value for a reason - quality!

Cheers
GoG

IM

I don't know that it is actual G-Plan (there are the remnants of a label on the back, but I can't see any decipherable mark), just that it is a 70s contiboard construction.

There are no major knocks as far as I can see - mainly fading and a number of marks from spillages down the years.

What do you reckon then, the varnish remover to take off the years of build-up, then a rub of oil/wax to even out the shade and provide a bit of a shine?

myrnahaz

Is it the Teak veneered G Plan? If it is then it shouldn't be polished to a high shine, it's meant to have a matt finish, but I don't know how you do this.

My MIL has a recipe for a home made cleaner for old furniture (she had it from from an antique restorer and has used it on really delicate old furniture) - it contains turpentine and meths and something else. It's smelly but it takes off all the built-up polish and wax residues without causing damage. I'll ask her for the recipe and post it this evening, unless someone else can remember in the meantime.

grumpyoldgit_2

IM wrote:

I don't know that it is actual G-Plan (there are the remnants of a label on the back, but I can't see any decipherable mark), just that it is a 70s contiboard construction.

There are no major knocks as far as I can see - mainly fading and a number of marks from spillages down the years.

What do you reckon then, the varnish remover to take off the years of build-up, then a rub of oil/wax to even out the shade and provide a bit of a shine?

Yep as per my previous post - have a look at the back you should be able to see the edge of the veneer and judge how thick it is.
Fading will need the treatment you first proposed so that the underlying colour is even.
The matt shine is obtained with Danish Oil

Cheers
GoG

grumpyoldgit_2

Sorry missed the bit about the label - original G Plan should have a Rectangular sticker usually red background with white or silver GPlan in centre. Sometimes stuck to back occasionally the bottom of furniture - some even had them inside cupboard doors or drawer fronts.
Early G Plan logo was burnt into the wood - very early was marked Gomme after Eric Gomme who founded the company. They have been around a very long time - (we have Gomme Dining Room and Bedroom Suites from Art Deco era).
Have alook on eBay at some of the pics - you should find similar to your sideboard as there were'nt that many designs of GPlan sideboard around in the 60s/70s.
Cheers
GoG