Originally Posted by
Ellpea
So I THINK what needs to happen is that the rest of the base should be cleaned down to that level. What was coming off was not necessarily all of the finish, it was 140 years of crud!
My question is... can you recommend a way to get solution #1 amped up just a little?
Ellpea, are you using a pot for the cleaning solution and one for rinsing the steel wool? If not, I highly recommend it! Yes, take your time or the finish will be gone by too aggressive cleaning. On the flip side, cleaning the grime out of the steel wool makes for more efficient use of your time and doesn't strip off the original finish. You must constantly monitor the wood's surface to know when to stop because the grime is gone, or regretfully WISH you had stopped.
That rinse pot, with the same mixture, keeps the tool useable and allows for the dirt to be lifted away, not redistributed all over your beloved piece. Enjoy the process!