Mark Biggelaar has been restoring wooden objects from pianos and violins to furniture, yacht interiors, and bar-tops for 40 years. He says that one of the most common errors people make when restoring wooden objects for themselves is to fail to determine precisely what they want to achieve with the restoration.
For each level of restoration, whether it is a full restoration, a thorough clean-up or just a touch-up, a separate approach is required. Using the wrong approach can produce a disaster rather than the hoped for restoration. For the purposes of this article, we are looking specifically at a clean-up.
Choosing the Type of Wooden Surface Restoration
A clean-up will vastly improve the look and life of the object or piece of furniture you want to restore. Today, wood-surfacing technology has advanced to the point where it is possible to choose from an extremely broad range of coating options and the uninitiated can be easily confused, especially if purchasing product or being advised on technique by inexperienced shop staff.
For example, if your restoration project has previously been treated with a plastic coating such as a varnish, lacquer, or polyurethane, and it is suffering from obvious signs of sun damage (severe fading) and has nicks, marks and scratches, one of the worst things you can do is to polish it with an oil. This is because the oil will penetrate the surface where the damage is and get under the plastic finish where it will deepen the colouring in the damaged areas and produce a patchy and unsightly finish (see photo).
A Wooden Surface Clean-Up Restoration using Beeswax
Mark says, "Ultimately, to do a proper job on damaged plastic coated wooden furniture, the item should actually be stripped back to the bare wood and re-polished from the beginning, but if that's not feasible, this type of damage can be radically improved with a restored shine, total clean and marvelous smell, by applying a beeswax."
"Choose a beeswax with a carnuba additive. It will provide reasonable resistance to wear and tear and has good shining properties."
Mark advises that if the condition of the surface is very poor and layered with dirt, use vinegar to remove old grime, but be certain that the surface is dry before waxing or the wax will not dry properly. Once the wax has been applied, buff the surface to the desired shine.
Waxing will not affect the colour or faded look of the object, but it brightens the surface beautifully. It does this because beeswax is very quick drying and doesn't penetrate the surface like oil does. It is almost like giving it another coat of lacquer.
"If the item is a high-use piece of furniture such as a table top," says Mark, "I don't recommend wax because the constant wiping of the table will reduce the efficacy of the wax. In this instance you should consider completely stripping and re-polishing."
If the item is not faded and has kept its original colour but is dry-looking, then it should be alright to apply an oil-based polish or solution because the colour is less likely to be affected. In this case, clean the item with with the following solution before applying the beeswax. Beware: try a test patch on a non-visible part of the item first.
Wood Surface Restoration Cleaning Solution for Old Dry Surfaces
- 1/3 turps
- 1/3 boiled linseed oil
- 1/3 vinegar
When applying the Wood Restoration Cleaning Solution, use a rag and/or soft brush. You might be surprised by how much dirt and grime comes away. A word of caution though: antiques often build up a lovely patina with years and years of handling and beeswax polishing. If you feel you need a weaker mixture to save some of the patina, then reduce the amount of turps in the mix because it dissolves the wax if too much is applied or it is left on the surface too long.
Wood Surface Restoration Tip for Very Old Items
"After you have cleaned the surface of a very neglected wooden item which still feels slightly rough to the touch and very dry, burnish with 0000 steel wool. It has a mildly abrasive effect, so try it first in a small, less visible spot. Then, apply the beeswax.
"Each wooden item is different, and depending on its age and the treatment it has had over the years, can be differently affected by restoration techniques, so I always recommend experimental starts in a not so obvious back corner."
Mark likes to see people take on their own restoration projects but he also says that If the item has high value and you are not sure of the best treatment, always visit a restorer first.
Source: Theresa Sjoquist interview with Mark Biggelaar - January 2012
