Replies

1. 
   joeleonetti | Oct 18, 2023 04:06pm | #1

   Thomas Johnson Antiques (in Gorham Maine) has a really nice YouTube channel repairing antiques. He often needs to degrung the pieces so I'd suggest watching some of his YouTube videos.

   I'm inclined myself to start with a toothbrush and some water with a little dish soap.

2. 
   jharveyb | Oct 18, 2023 08:40pm | #2

   I have used GoJo type automotive hand cleaners with good effect. It turns out that long ago someone was repackaging it and selling it highly marked up thru antique shops for cleaning antiques. It has good cleaning action and a bit of lanolin or such that restores the look of the finish like some wood polishes. I used it to clean about a hundred old stair spindles from an old, grungy warehouse in Nashville. Came out really nice and didn't damage the finish like some water based products can. If you use GoJo, make sure you don't use the type with pumice in it, as it will scratch the finish.

3. 
   BillieRuben | Oct 26, 2023 06:14pm | #3

   If you’re removing dirt and grime from very valuable pieces there are cleaning pads made for paper conservation that are basically a pocket filled with rubber shavings. As you rub them in something they pick up all the dirt and grime.

   They also use specialist vacuums.

   I tend to just wash most things with a wet rag with clothes washing powder in the water it was wet with. Rinsing it in the water as it gets dirty and then doing another go-over with clean water once clean. It risks adding water damage and swelling to the object though so don’t use it on important things.

   Methylated spirits is good if those are more of a concern, as it flashes off quickly, but it will remove finishes.

4. 
   jharveyb | Oct 26, 2023 06:59pm | #4

   I forgot to mention, don't use gasoline! Very dangerous! To your health, and it's very explosive. Mineral spirits would be a more appropriate solvent. I would tend to stay away from water unless the original finish is waterproof (i.e., not damaged or worn.)