Help to clean up second hand oak table & chairs

Alibali

Hi guys,

I am new to this board and am looking for some help.

I have bought a lovely second hand oak dinning set, however, there is a bit of ingrained dirt, I think it would clean up great and was wondering if anyone had some tips on how to clean it up without it costing the earth:)?

Thanks!

jackieglasgow

Sand it back, and oil or wax it.

oldtractor

wash it down with a mixture of 50/50 water and vinegar. dry with a towel. this removes most dirt and old polish and wax.

Alibali

thanks guys, think I will try the water & vinegar first, I am worried that if i sand it I might make a mess of it.

Topher

Hi there, Do be careful with sanding back, very often old oak dining tables are, in spite of being solid wood, oak veneered. I have still got one to the colour I wanted through sanding with an electric sander, but it needed a really light touch.
T

splodger_seedswapper

i used to restore old furniture and old oak stuff was quite easy (as long as it was not varnished) - the easiest way to get rid of grime - is to use meths (rub it on with an old cloth) you can buy a specialist restoring liquid - but that is only meths based - and is much more expensive

just wipe it over with the meths - then clean of the worst of the grime - rub over again - and use fine wire wool for the ground in dirt (don't buy the cheap coarse wire wool - much better if you can get the really fine stuff, it's worth it)

once the wood has completely dried - you will see a big difference in the colour etc - you can then lightly sand any areas that are still a bit grubby if need be - else just wax or oil - depending on the finish you want

zippychick

I would try beeswax first - the darker one.

as this has dropped down the board ive moved it to In my home to see if you get some more ideas over here

Zip

moonrakerz

splodger_seedswapper wrote: »

i- and use fine wire wool for the ground in dirt (don't buy the cheap coarse wire wool - much better if you can get the really fine stuff, it's worth it)

DO NOT use wire wool on oak (unless it is non-ferrous). The tannin in the wood will react with the iron and cause black staining.

Chunks

Morning,

Just completed a restore project - some beech dining chairs. If your oak is of an even colour and you prefer to keep it close to that colour (ie not darken it as (say) Danish Oil would tend to do), try this stuff:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002E5KPBI/ref=oss_product

Joy to use and what a lovely finish. A little goes a long way but if you want to build up the coats (more than one is recomended) consider the larger size.

If you go down this route I found a 'scoop and lightly spread first' approach worked best (using an old credit card) rather than try an dip a lint free rag in the mix.

Good luck,

Chunks