I have recently bought a house in the UK which has Oak paneling on the walls in the hallway.

I would like to clean them up and polish them but as a complete amateur I am looking for some help and advice on how to complete such a task.

The panels have never been varnished but are extremely dirty and they look 'tired'. The previous owner was a smoker and there seems to be a lot of yellow dirt if rubbed with clean cloth. There is also paint on panel edges that needs to be removed.

I can put up a picture of panels if it helps.

Thanks,
Paul

Think a pic would be a big help.

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Bob Thomas

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I've been thinking about all the oak beams, doors, etc. there must be in the UK which have never seen a finish of any sort - just sitting around developing patina. Lucky, lucky you.

Clean your panelling with methylated spirits (is that white spirit over there - it's the stuff alcoholics drink when they can't get cheap Australian wine) and 0000 grade steel wool. The metho won't raise the grain like water does and evaporates quickly.

Use a paint stripper on the painted edges (use a cheap artists brush to keep it confined to the right places), remove paint and clean off the residue with the steel wool and metho. If there are traces of paint in the grain, use a hard toothbrush at the paint stripper stage, scrubbing in the direction of the grain. For really hard to get out bits, use a needle - a wool needle (for sewing handknitted garments) has a rounded point. I've hot glued one into an empty ballpoint pen - easy to use and easy to find.

You will remove the dirt and gunk but not any patina that has built up. I recently stripped a Victorian mantlepiece of umpteen layers of paint, initially using a heat gun and then moving to paint stripper, metho and steel wool. It came up a treat.

Sanding sealer is optional - but it will fill the grain, if that's what you want. Finish off with two or three coats of a good traditional wax polish containing canuba wax for hardness, allowing two or days between each polish for finish to dry. Mylands (http://www.mylands.com/) make an Antique Brown Wax suitable for oak. You will also find quite a bit of helpful restoration information on their site.

Done what you suggested Wombat and the panels have come up a treat.
Need to wax em now so looking around for wax you suggested.

Thanks dude.

Have a look at the range of waxes at www.rydenor.co.uk and perhaps ask them what they recommend for oak panelling.

Wombat,

What can I say?

The panels look amazing.......what a transformation and all thanks to your help and advice. Took some time to do, but they are now complete. I used Mylands Antique Brown wax as you suggested. I cannot believe how well the panels came up.......to think I was thinking of removing them at one point!!!!:eek: I cringe just thinking what if I had removed them:confused:

Anyways I really enjoyed cleaning up the panels and the finished result just gives you a real good feeling of achievment doesn't it?

I have recently been given an antique table (round in shape, about 36inch dia). I think made from walnut (not sure yet but intend finding out) The table has bad water stains on the top and also a ring where a varse has stood. It also has a very small dent. I intend making this a small project to try and bring back what is a beautiful table to its original state (he says wondering what he is letting himself in for)

Anyways rather than rely on others to tell me what to do I was wondering if you or any other forum mebers might suggest a good book to help me along the way of restoring this table (with a view to try to restore other items after this), remembering I am a total novice (though I have got an 'o' level wood work which I passed about 20 yr's ago in school! )

Once again Wombat thankyou for the help and thanks to this forum. Think I have a new hobby now!

Paul

Congratulations!! And what a buzz when you tell your visitors that you did it all yourself.

I'm afraid I can't suggest a book on restoration, although some other Woodworker may be able to help you out there.

Re your table with it's water marks and vase ring - I'm wondering if this table may be finished with shellac (french polished). Try rubbing it (unobtrusive part such as inside of leg) with metho on a light coloured rag and see if the finish/colour comes off or becomes a bit sticky. If it is shellac, you might also find bits of varnish chipped off or crazing in the finish.

Paul1234,

One thing you could try with the rings and watermarks is Brasso and a soft cloth (test a hidden area first).Rub gently I use linear strokes . Brasso is a mild abrasive . One thing to watch for, if as Wombat suggests there is any crazing in the finish, don't use Brasso it will leave white marks in crazing which are very difficult to remove. If you have crazing don't be tempted to just put another finish on top. Even it the new finish looks good, the crazing will show through eventually. You may have to strip it, however others may have some good tricks for crazed finishes
As far as books go Liberon sell a book on polishing which has some handy tips on restoration in it . Google to find your local supplier I tried to find their home site but no luck.

Sounds like it might be a really nice table.If you have to re-polish it maybe one thing to do, once you've found out what the finish is, is to go to the op shop (charity shop) or tip and find something with a similar finish and practice on that till you are confident. The main secret with polishing is patience I have lost count of the amount of extra hours I have cost myself due to thinking "I'm sure it will go quicker this way" .

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