Expert: Eileen Cronk - 10/12/2007

Question
The chest I have is old (although I'm not sure how old), I just got it and I want to "clean" it up and polish it. It also has a few small scratches that, if possible I'd like to fix. Do you have ant suggestions on how I can do these things? Thank you

Answer
Hi Tammy
Nice to hear from you.
First give the chest a good cleaning.
I like to use super fine steel wool dipped in varsol (mineral spirits).
Just dip and gently rub with the grain.
Keep lots of old rags for drying as you go.
You will be amazed at the dirt this will take off.
For the scratches.
If they have penetrated to the wood, use some stain on them thats close to the color of the finish. No need to be exact here. Just a dark stain on dark wood etc.
And it would not hurt to apply a light coat of the stain to the entire piece with a rag. Rub back well with a clean rag.
Takes a few days to dry but the results are great.
Also you could try one of those wax crayon type filler sticks from the hardware on the scratches if you like.
They come in various colors.
Personally they do not impress me, but I have used them.
Now having said all that, they make products today that do what you want a lot easier than this process.
Heres a link.
http://www.drwoodwell.com/
Worth a look.
Good Luck and great question
Regards
Eileen