[CAUT] Rubbing out laquer finish

[Jeff Farris]

I agree that naptha would be the best way to 
remove wax build-up. Another option after the 
naptha is to use a product called 
"Restore-A-Finish", applying it with 0000 steel 
wool lightly, then wiping off with a clean cloth. 
It does take a bit of "elbow grease" to wipe it 
back off. But the results look nice. It comes in 
different shades (walnut, natural, etc.) but 
that's not really an issue on an ebony finish. I 
only just recently used it on ebony for the first 
time - it really does well on walnut or mahogany 
cases. You can usually find it at local hardware 
stores.

Good Luck,
Jeff Farris
Piano Technician
School of Music
UT Austin
mailto; jfarris at mail.utexas.edu
512-471-0158





If this is an ebony finish, you do not want to use Murphy's Oil Soap.
It's the oil and wax that is creating the hazy finish in the first
place. You need a product that gits rid of the oils and wax. Windex
would have worked, because it removes oils. But if someone at an
earlier time has put some sort of wax on the ebony finish, the wax
needs to be removed first.

If the Simply Green doesn't do the trick, then I'm afraid the only
other solution is to use naptha. You want to rub it with 0000 steel
wool to get rid of the wax buildup. The problem is, that will leave a
hazy residue, which will them have to be removed with a soft clean
cloth, and maybe followed up with ebony laquer.

In other words, Paul, this might become more of a project than you had
anticipated. Perhaps a call to a local furniture refinisher would be
the best solution.

Wim



Quoting Jeannie Grassi <jcgrassi at earthlink.net>:

>  Hi Paul,
>
>  If there is a build up of wax and dirt, it sounds like you probably
>  want to
>  clean it.  Murphy’s Oil Soap is the best for lacquer finishes.
>  However, be
>  sure you leave enough time.  Like cleaning your car, once you do one
>  section, the rest looks really bad.  You must wipe it down with a
>  soft dry
>  cloth after you’re done cleaning and don’t try to do too large of a
>  section
>  at once.  Good luck,
>
>  jeannie
>
>
>
>     _____ 
>
>  From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
>  Paul T
>  Williams
>  Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007 7:38 AM
>  To: College and University Technicians
>  Subject: Re: [CAUT] Rubbing out laquer finish
>
> 
>
>
>  Tried it. Didn't like it.  I think there must be years of furnature
>  wax or
>  something.  The prints just smeared into a haze.  What else can I
>  try?  pw
>
>
>
>
>  Willem Blees <wblees at bama.ua.edu>
>  Sent by: caut-bounces at ptg.org
>
>  03/22/2007 09:08 AM
>
>
>  Please respond to
>  College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>
>
>
>  To
>
>  College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>
>
>
>  cc
>
> 
>
>
>  Subject
>
>  Re: [CAUT] Rubbing out laquer finish
>
>
>
>
> 
>
> 
>
>
>
>
>  Quoting Paul T Williams <pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu>:
>
>  > Hi Richard,
>  >
>  > The Steinway from Mrs. Blackman is finished other than fine
>  voicing
>  > in
>  > Brenda's office.  How do you rub out fingerprints etc from the old
>
>  > Steinway laquer finishes? I tried some of the different cleaners
>  > diluted
>  > in a small area, but it just seemed to smear it around.
>  >
>  > Maybe you or one of our fellow CAUT members might know.
>  >
>  > Thanks
>  >
>  > Paul T. Williams RPT
>  > University of Nebraska
>
>
>  Paul
>
>  Use Windex to get rid of fingerprints.
>
>  Wim
>  Willem Blees, RPT
>  Piano Tuner/Technician
>  School of Music
>  University of Alabama
>  Tuscaloosa, AL USA
>  205-348-1469
>
>
>  >
>>
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>
>
>Willem Blees, RPT
>Piano Tuner/Technician
>School of Music
>University of Alabama
>Tuscaloosa, AL USA
>205-348-1469


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