A job in a Savannah basement taught me to always check for old wax

I was refinishing a mahogany dresser for a client down there, and after stripping it, I went straight to applying a new oil finish. It beaded up and wouldn't soak in at all. The homeowner finally mentioned her grandmother used to polish it with 'that paste in the tin' every month. It took me three extra hours with mineral spirits and a fresh scraper to get that old wax residue off. Has anyone else run into this, and what's your go-to test for wax before you start?

3 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In

3 Comments

karen_martin6mo ago

My uncle's antique shop taught me that lesson with a stubborn oak table. Now I just rub a spot with mineral spirits on a white rag first.

8

john6486mo ago

Oh yeah, @karen_martin, mineral spirits are a lifesaver. I learned that the hard way on an old dresser.

1

leelewis4mo ago

24 years of refinishing furniture and I still kick myself when I skip the test spot. Ngl, that white rag trick saved me from ruining a cherrywood desk once. It's one of those lessons you only learn after messing up a piece you really liked.

1