How can I remove waxy polish on 1950's era table?

Question

I bought a solid wood table that seems to be quite old. It's stained and covered with a waxy substance that's a little sticky. What's the best way to remove the waxy buildup? Afterwards, should I stain it or just use furniture polish, or oil?

Answer 1

I have would START with Murphy's Oil Soap... that will remove dirt, grime, and miscellaneous CRUD.

IF it's still "dirty" I'd clean with a solvent such as Mineral Spirits which would strip any wax.

I have a number of old pieces in walnut, pine, mahogany... I prefer a stain, and then PASTE WAX like "SC Johnsons". It buffs to a very nice, hard, satin finish.

I ONLY use oil on TEAK.

Answer 2

Before I'd get carried away, try using Doozy cleaner and then follow up with the polish. www.Doozy.com

It is used in furniture stores to eliminate and prevent sticky hand prints, also used to clean kitchen cabinets that have become icky from cooking grease.

It may take several cleanings to get down through all the yuck but it's easier than removing finish.

Check out the website: www.doozy.com

Answer 3

To remove polish from: Acrylic nails - use non-acetone polish remover. Acetone remover can damage them. Gel nails - Either acetone, or non-acetone works fine and won't damage the nail. To remove acrylic nails, you can go to a salon and have them soaked off - never let them use nippers and pull them off, or use a nail tip to pry them off. This will cause you lots of pain, and it will damage your natural nail. Or you can do them yourself. Get a small bowl, and fill it with pure acetone - any will work as long as it is labeled as 'pure' acetone. Fill it only deep enough to cover your nails when they are placed in it. BTW, be really careful with acetone, as it is highly flammable. Don't smoke, or have any sparks of open flames anywhere near it. If you want to speed up the process a bit, place a second, larger bowl under the bowl of acetone, and fill the second bowl about halfway with hot water. This will help to warm the acetone, thus speeding up the process. Don't put acetone in the microwave, or on the stove or anything like that. It is dangerous to do so. Use hot water instead in another bowl. First, either file, or use clippers to remove as much of the nail extension as you can without going too far down and taking off your natural nail also. Just the acrylic nail. Than, apply some vaseline on your cuticle area and on your fingertips - but not the nail itself - to protect your skin from acetone's drying effects. Then place your fingers in the acetone and cover the bowl with a small towel. just don't get it wet with acetone! This will help keep it warm, and keep the level of nasty fumes down too. Soak for about 20-30 minutes, then - one finger at a time or else the acrylic will harden back up - gently scrape the acrylic off your nail using either a metal cuticle pusher, or an orange stick. Do this gently. If you do not get it all off the first try, simply soak that nail for another 5 minutes or so and try again. Repeat on all the remaining nails, one at a time. It helps if you can have someone do the scraping for you, that way you can soak both hands at the same time, making the whole process faster.After you are done, wash your hands well. Then use a good quality cuticle oil and coat each nail and cuticle area with it to help put moisture back into your skin and nails. Just do the whole removal process gently, and do not pull, yank, or tear at the acrylic. This is not the way to do it. Your nails will probably feel soft and squishy for the first day or so after you remove ther acrylic, but this is normal. They should be fine after 24-48 hours. Take good care of them after you remove the nails,like using cuticle oil 2-3 times a day, every day. hth

Answer 4

My thats OLD, [i,m 68 lol ] was in the service in 50,s
its probley not a wax, they did not have spray on waxes like now days, so its probley varnish, it never dries, try a varnish remover, it may take some of the stain off also,

Answer 5

Use a kitchen nylon scourer and White spirit......

Answer 6

murphy's wood soap