I've never used naptha.  Is it easy to find?  The Steinway is an ebony finish.  What "dangers" exist using it? paul <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td width=40%>Jeff Farris <Jfarris@mail.utexas.edu> Sent by: caut-bounces@ptg.org 03/22/2007 12:40 PM <table border> <tr valign=top> <td bgcolor=white> <div align=center>Please respond to College and University Technicians <caut@ptg.org></div></table> <td width=59%> <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>To</div> <td>College and University Technicians <caut@ptg.org> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>cc</div> <td> <tr valign=top> <td> <div align=right>Subject</div> <td>Re: [CAUT] Rubbing out laquer finish</table> <table> <tr valign=top> <td> <td></table> </table> <tt>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@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@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@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@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@bama.ua.edu> >  Sent by: caut-bounces@ptg.org > >  03/22/2007 09:08 AM > > >  Please respond to >  College and University Technicians <caut@ptg.org> > > >  To > >  College and University Technicians <caut@ptg.org> > > >  cc > > > > >  Subject > >  Re: [CAUT] Rubbing out laquer finish > > > > > > > > > > > >  Quoting Paul T Williams <pwilliams4@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 > > >  > >> >>  -- >>  No virus found in this incoming message. >>  Checked by AVG Free Edition. >>  Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.16/729 - Release Date: >>  3/21/2007 >>  7:52 AM >> >> >>  -- >>  No virus found in this outgoing message. >>  Checked by AVG Free Edition. >>  Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.16/729 - Release Date: >>  3/21/2007 >>  7:52 AM >> >> > > >Willem Blees, RPT >Piano Tuner/Technician >School of Music >University of Alabama >Tuscaloosa, AL USA >205-348-1469 -- </tt>