Expert: Eileen Cronk - 6/18/2005

Question
Hello Eileen, I worte about a week and 1/2 ago re: my parents 1946 bedrood suite. I do not know the kind of wood over all but it is veneer. Its not a dark nor a light wood I would say medium, except for a few pieces of the veneer chipped of, and the tops of the vanity, chest etc. has water rings and a few cigaretts burns where some careless people laid down cigs. while coming hair.
The set still has all its original brass drawer pulls. The top drawer of each piece has so inlaid of a light and darker and also medium wood these are perfect except the set needs cleaning and oiling but I am not sure of the procedure.
Any help you can give will be appreciated.
Thanks Martie

Answer
Hi Again Martire.
It sounds like this set is mahogany veneer, and I will guess the tops to be solid wood.
Martie there is no way to remove the cigarette burns without stripping the tops and sanding the burn holes out.
But perhaps once the set is cleaned and oiled, they will not show as badly, and I'm hoping the set will look so great after you get finished that the burn holes will not be a big deal and you can certainly add a nice runner on the tops to hide them.
So heres how to clean....get a small tin of mineral spirits and a box of super fine steel wool.
Assemble lots of clean rags.
Then you dip the steel wool in the mineral spirits and using it as a scrub pad gently scrub all surfaces of the wood. Try to go with the grain of the wood and not against it.
Dry with the rags as you go.
You will be amazed at the dirt that will come off.
Next I would give a coat of lemon oil or paste wax.
Personally I prefer wax, but its time comsuming and you may want to use the lemon oil.
Please do not hesitate to get back to me if you need any more help.
Kindest Regards
Eileen