Expert: Eileen Cronk - 4/6/2007

Question
I have recently inherited a Bedroom set made in the 1930, we think.  It looks as though it is made of Padouk wood veneer.  It has several flower scenes in I believe acrylic painted on each piece.  Several areas are dark from age or dirt it is hard to tell.  What would be the best way to clean this and se if the darkness can be removed.  Most of the really dark areas are on the posts from the bed where my guess is human contact is made.  Thank you, Kraig

Answer
Hi Kraig
Nice to hear from you.
For this particular furniture, I think I would try this product for cleaning.
http://www.restorzit.com/
I hesitate to recommend mineral spirits (also sold as varsol) which is the best for cleaning this type of "human contact" grime because of the painting, but if its not near the paint certainly try it first.
Also with using the spirits, just be aware that often we will see a heavy clouding in the area we are cleaning. This only means there is lots of grime and just keep rubbing and it will eventually disolve.
The spirits are amazing really for cleaning this type of dirt.
I would stay away from using water and soap which you will often see used too. And the water soap cleaning is mainly useless with this type of dirt.
Good Luck
Regards
Eileen
Forgot to mention that a super fine steel wool pad is great used as a scrubber with the varsol (not over the painted areas of course) then a nice waxing.