Expert: Eileen Cronk - 2/27/2007

Question
Hi Eileen,

Work on the tung oil finish to my sewing machine cabinet is proceeding well, thanks to your advice. Now I am eyeing our poor old oak stairway handrail, which was built in 1923 and whose finish is now chipped and scratched and looking rather sad.

I am trying to avoid stripping it, for fear of doing damage to the wood floor and painted balusters below. I was hoping to use something like Restor-a-Finish, but I have a sneaking suspicion that a previous owner may have put a coat of polyurethane on it. Is there a way to check this? And if it is polyurethane, can it be restored or must it be stripped?

Answer
Hi Denise
Glad to hear the sewing machine is going well..Do you like it?
No way really to check if its poly without stripping, but a quick fix can be had as follows.
First a real good cleaning with a good degreaser. The rail may look clean but a lot of hands have left grease you may not see.
Next a coat of the same colored stain as is on it (or close anyway).
Apply the stain with a rag.
Let this dry well. It could take a few days till its not tacky.
Next a couple of coats of tung oil..you should have some left LOL
Thats it.
Get back to me.
Regards
Eileen