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Page 32 The Antique Shoppe May, 2019
as you like. It does not harm the surface of the wood either. Is there something
Questions & else like that out there could I could use for this project? Many thanks, John M.
John – As you may recall from some of my previous columns about
A. oils and finishes, boiled linseed oil is a “drying” oil, i.e. it undergoes a
Common Sense Answers chemical change as it dries and attempts to adhere with the surface below it.
That makes it very difficult to remove in the long run, especially if the goal is
with Fred Taylor to preserve the underlying finish. There is no practical way to “neutralize” the
oil, it must be removed. You can start by trying some denatured alcohol on
a small spot. That should loosen the dried surface of the oil enough to begin
wiping it off without disturbing the original finish too badly.
Dear Fred - A long time ago, perhaps 15-20 years ago, If that doesn’t work on the oil surface – and it may not – then
Q. I put linseed oil on an oak chest of drawers that my you will need to progress to the next step – a “refinisher”.
wife’s grandfather, a cabinetmaker, made. For a very long time I am not familiar with the “Yankee” product but there is a
thereafter the surface remained sticky. (The chest is no longer multitude of custom mixes out there that do basically the
sticky.) Since then I learned that was not the thing to do. Now, same as the “refinishers”. A good refinisher will leave you in
after many years, I want to see if I can remove or neutralize the control and let you take as much finish as you like and then
linseed oil and get all the dust and dirt that stuck to the surface stop and recoat. The refinisher should allow you to remove
so long ago off. Is that possible? I would like to remove some the grit from the top without harming the original finish.
of the grit from the surface of the top of the dresser, since the Traditional refinishers are made by Parks, Minwax and
rest of the piece is smooth and the color is a golden brown some others, usually available at Home Depot and the like.
(very attractive look), and the piece is now bone dry, can I put They contain denatured alcohol and some of the other
hand-mixed shellac on it in very thin coats? My experience aromatic hydrocarbon solvents. Use a small amount on a
with pieces like this is that they were finished with shellac. spot to see if it loosens the surface. Proceed using a nylon
By the way, have you ever heard or used a cleaner called “scrubby” pad (but do not use steel wool no matter what the
“The Yankee”, made in Cromwell, CT by The Yankee Furniture instructions say) to remove as much of the surface as you
Refinishing Products Co.? I once talked to the man who made wish. Just be careful. That stuff is dangerous. It is flammable
the stuff, though I think he is now passed on and I can not and it will make you high if you breathe too much. It also is
locate this product anywhere. It is great stuff and I still have For objects that need to be painted or clear readily absorbed through your skin. You will know if this is
some of it left but not much unfortunately. I have used it on coated such as hardware or shelf brackets, happening if you get a metallic taste in your mouth. After
shellaced furniture and it takes the grime and re-dissolves it. suspend them from wire coat hangers. removing as much of the gook as you want, let it dry a couple
Then you wipe it off and you are able to take as much finish off That way they never have to be handled or of days, then light sand the surface with 320 grit paper and
touched until they are dry.
apply a new finish. If the “refinisher” doesn’t get the job
done then you will have to reconcile yourself to stripping the
STUART piece as the final choice. I would not apply more shellac on the piece if it still
BUY SELL TRADE North Lake Blvd. has dried linseed oil on it. That will then create a sandwich effect that will only
Palm Antique Mall cause you problems in the future. Go ahead and fix it once and for all and be
done with it in your lifetime.
2591 SE Ocean Blvd. Blue Heron Blvd 1 1
Stuart, FL 34996 Greenwood Ave.
oldteaks@bellsouth.net MLK Jr Blvd. I have a pair of shelf brackets that are very, very old. They have a
772-463-5090 • 772-240-0894 Ocean Blvd - A1A Q. beautiful filigree design. Since they came from a century home’s attic in
91 a very damp part of the country; they’re very rusty. How can I clean them? I’d
ALWAYS BUYING Palm Bch Rd Monterey Rd like to clean them and then paint with either black or white “rustoleum” paint.
Kanner / Colorado Congress N. Ocean Blvd. Thanks so much. Marian H.

Marian – You are on the right track but the key to this project, as it is
714  1 A. with any paint related project, is preparation. Directly painting the rusty
76
brackets with Rust-Oleum without good prep work would be a waste of time.
714
Palm Bch Lakes Blvd. Flagler Try a local paint store or marine supply store for a product called “Ospho”. The
active ingredient is phosphoric acid. It is a greenish liquid in a plastic bottle. It
has the consistency of water. It converts ferrous oxide (rust) to an inert black
713
1 Okeechobee Blvd. substance, iron phosphate, in effect killing the rust. The good news about Ospho
SE Federal Hwy
is that you don’t have to completely remove all the tight rust. Just knock off the
Belvedere Blvd.
LAKE WORTH loose flakes and old paint with a stiff wire brush.
Hang the brackets from hooks made from wire coat hangers for painting and
I95
Flagler Dr.
Southern Blvd drying. That way you never have to handle them. Apply a good wet coat of
BKG A1A Ospho using a disposable brush and allow to it dry at least overnight. Then
Antique Mall Summit Blvd 95 prime with Rust-Oleum metal primer and paint with your choice of color in
Come in and see all our Dixie Hwy. Rust-Oleum. This type paint is very slow to dry and even slower to completely
Antiques & Collectibles Jog Rd cure. The paint will be tacky for several hours and soft for several days. Just
Open 7 Days A Week - Call For Hours 10th Ave. Congress Ave. Federal Hwy. leave the brackets hanging while they dry out.
••••
WE MAKE THE PAST A 2nd Send your comments, questions and pictures to me at PO Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423 or
PERFECT PRESENT! Lake Worth Road Lucerne Lake email them to me at info@furnituredetective.com
.
Vendor Display Cases Ave Visit Fred’s website at www.furnituredetective.com and check out the downloadable
Available for Rent! 1 “Common Sense Antiques” columns in .pdf format. His book “HOW TO BE A FURNITURE
DETECTIVE” is now available for $18.95 plus $3.00 shipping. Send check or money order for
32 Dixie Highway Malaleuca Ln $21.95 to Fred Taylor, PO Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423
Lake Worth, FL 33466 Fred and Gail Taylor’s DVD, “IDENTIFICATION OF OLDER & ANTIQUE FURNITURE”, ($17.00 +
(561)533-7707 Fax (561)533-7578 Ocean Ave $3.00 S&H) are also available at the same address. For more information call (800) 387-6377
janetdesigns@gmail.com Lantana Rd (9AM-4PM Eastern, M-F only), fax 352-563-2916, or e-mail info@furnituredetective.com. All
1 items are also available directly from the website, www.furnituredetective.com
Hypoluxo Rd
.