Expert: Eileen Cronk - 10/9/2008

Question
I just cleaned an antique dresser with equal parts of vinegar, linseed oil and mineral spirits.  Came out great. Do I use Old English oil, lemon oil or paste wax to preserve the wood?  Or what do you recommend?

Answer
Hi Ted
Nice to hear from you.
Interesting question.
Actually the wood will be well preserved if the finish is intact.
So if you think about it, its the finish you want to preserve.
Most of my own furniture has a tung oil finish which you do not wax, but the best wax is a paste wax applied twice a year (or once for sure).
Ted, living up in rural Ontario I don't have access to trying a lot of different products but if you are like me and hate waxing, look into a liquid wax.
As long as the label clearly states "contains no silicone" the wax will be fine.
Just don't get too carrieed away with a lot of waxing or you'll be back to the mineral spirits to get the crud off again LOL.
Good Luck
Regards
Eileen