Author Topic: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?  (Read 16326 times)

Offline rhankey

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 31
Re: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?
« Reply #15 on: April 27, 2015, 09:58:29 PM »
Do not use water or any water based cleaners to clean oak, especially one that has been used under a metal lathe.  Iron found in water, or residual iron from using the lathe will stain the oak black.

Online steamer

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12697
  • Central Massachusetts, USA
Re: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?
« Reply #16 on: April 27, 2015, 11:32:11 PM »
Thanks for all of the replies.  I had some denatured alcohol on hand and  decide to try it.  It has worked rather well.  It takes a little "elbow grease" but it cuts right through the grime.  The cabinet top isn't in great shape so I decided to try the alcohol.
I need to buy some more and give it a few more applications.

-Bob

If it works....it works!     Pictures please!!!!

Dave
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline 90LX_Notch

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1613
  • North Eastern Pennsylvania USA
    • YouTube Channel
Re: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?
« Reply #17 on: April 28, 2015, 01:30:01 AM »
For steamer-
Proud Member of MEM

My Engine Videos on YouTube-
http://www.youtube.com/user/Notch90usa/videos

Online steamer

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12697
  • Central Massachusetts, USA
Re: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?
« Reply #18 on: April 28, 2015, 02:20:59 AM »
Hey Bob!   That's beautiful!   That should clean up really nice.   Just take your time with it.

I'll be watching!   I know what your in for!

http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php?topic=369.0

Dave
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline 90LX_Notch

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1613
  • North Eastern Pennsylvania USA
    • YouTube Channel
Re: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?
« Reply #19 on: April 28, 2015, 02:55:38 AM »
Thanks Dave.  I remember your SB project.

 Fortunately the lathe is in real nice shape.  The cabinet has it's beauty marks along with some cracks.   My plan is to get the top cleaned up, then mount the lathe and get it running.  Then I can clean the rest of the cabinet over time. 

-Bob
Proud Member of MEM

My Engine Videos on YouTube-
http://www.youtube.com/user/Notch90usa/videos

Online steamer

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 12697
  • Central Massachusetts, USA
Re: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?
« Reply #20 on: April 28, 2015, 10:46:02 AM »
By the way those slide locks on the doors have got to go!    Make up some new brass or bronze knobs....

Dave
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline Allen Smithee

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1130
  • Mordor, Middle Earth
Re: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?
« Reply #21 on: April 28, 2015, 12:22:17 PM »
Thanks for all of the replies.  I had some denatured alcohol on hand and  decide to try it.

Well if you must - I'm told that it really needs ginger ale or a good tonic water to take the harshness out of the aftertaste. But I'm not sure I'd let a job like this drive me to drink...

AS
Quidquid latine dictum sit altum sonatur

Offline 90LX_Notch

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1613
  • North Eastern Pennsylvania USA
    • YouTube Channel
Re: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?
« Reply #22 on: April 28, 2015, 12:35:58 PM »
By the way those slide locks on the doors have got to go!    Make up some new brass or bronze knobs....

Dave

I know.  I had one off the other night.  What is sad is that the original locks are behind  them. Somebody removed the original plates and put the damn slide locks there.   I'll take some pictures of the atrocity.

-Bob
Proud Member of MEM

My Engine Videos on YouTube-
http://www.youtube.com/user/Notch90usa/videos

Offline b.lindsey

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13860
  • Dallas, NC, USA
    • Workbench-Miniatures
Re: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?
« Reply #23 on: April 28, 2015, 12:51:54 PM »
Bob,
I know you aren't into the brown stuff, but as nice as that is cleaning up already, I would sure be tempted to carry on and refinish the whole cabinet. The oak top seems to be the worst part and you have a fine start on that already.

Bill

Offline Mosey

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1598
  • Rosemont, New Jersey, USA
Re: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?
« Reply #24 on: April 28, 2015, 01:50:34 PM »
Remove as much of the oil as you can with mineral spirits or turpentine, then bleach the oak with oxalic acid. Careful, test a hidden area before you go too far. Then varnish or use a high quality oil-based finish like teak oil that has japan dryers in it.
As for the belt sander suggestion...............only for butchers! Sorry Stan.
Mosey

Offline ShopShoe

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 462
  • Central Iowa, Central USA
Re: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?
« Reply #25 on: April 28, 2015, 02:45:47 PM »
I know you said you dislike woodworking.

For what it's worth, an additional woodworking idea that might be useful:

Cabinet Scrapers: You sharpen them with a file and burnish them to create a cutting edge. It's easier than it sounds. What they used before sandpaper. It will create a smooth flat surface and only lightly clean yours. May or may not be followed by sandpaper.

See below for an example:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Square-Scraper-Set-3-pc-/T27042

In general, I think you have an historical machine and keeping some of the history is desirable. Just some cleaning and evening-up is desirable.

--ShopShoe

Offline mklotz

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2620
  • LA, CA, USA
    • SOFTWARE FOR PEOPLE WHO BUILD THINGS!
Re: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?
« Reply #26 on: April 28, 2015, 03:11:33 PM »

Cabinet Scrapers: You sharpen them with a file and burnish them to create a cutting edge. It's easier than it sounds. What they used before sandpaper. It will create a smooth flat surface and only lightly clean yours. May or may not be followed by sandpaper.

See below for an example:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Square-Scraper-Set-3-pc-/T27042

Scraping a table-sized object with hand scrapers will ruin your hands.  Scrapers do indeed leave a beautiful finish but get the tool that will save your hands...

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=46266&cat=1,230,41182,68491

Of course, I still think you should embrace the grime.
Regards, Marv
Home Shop Freeware
https://www.myvirtualnetwork.com/mklotz

Offline 90LX_Notch

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1613
  • North Eastern Pennsylvania USA
    • YouTube Channel
Re: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?
« Reply #27 on: April 28, 2015, 08:49:56 PM »
Thanks for all of the replies.

update-

I am pleased with the top and for now I am going to call it done.  This is the look that I was after.  I think there is still enough history there.  Note that the tailstock end isn't cleaning up well due to scratches.

Next on the agenda is to get the lathe moved in tomorrow and start on the what I would call the headboard for the cabinet on Thursday.   You can see the headboard in the second picture.

The third picture is the keyhole in the cabinet door that they covered over with the slide lock.

-Bob
Proud Member of MEM

My Engine Videos on YouTube-
http://www.youtube.com/user/Notch90usa/videos

Offline Mosey

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1598
  • Rosemont, New Jersey, USA
Re: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?
« Reply #28 on: April 28, 2015, 09:50:42 PM »
By the way, I forgot to say that that is a nice cabinet for a great machine. Enjoy it!
Mosey

Offline zeeprogrammer

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6811
  • West Chester, PA, USA
Re: How to clean a grimey oak bench top?
« Reply #29 on: April 28, 2015, 11:54:05 PM »
Of course, I still think you should embrace the grime.

As we do Marv. As we do.  ;D
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
"To work. To work."
Zee-Another Thread Trasher.

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal