How to clean carved wood table

6 years ago

I inherited this carved table, family story is that is teak and from the late 1800s. Does anyone have suggestions on how to clean the dust out of all the cracks and crevices?

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MiMi

6 years ago

Do you have an air compressor?

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Comments (18)

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BeverlyFLADeziner
6 years ago
Vacuum cleaner attachment with soft bristle brush nozzle to remove the surface dust and dirt.

Check with a museum or antique auction house?
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daisiesandbutterflies
6 years ago
I'd talk to a local museum or antiques expert about it. You wouldn't want to affect the finish or patina, which would devalue it.
richfield95 thanked daisiesandbutterflies
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hummingalong2
6 years ago
Try a can of compressed air, the kind you would use on a keyboard etc.
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gtcircus
6 years ago
Once it is clean it looks extra ordinarily dried out. Try a danish oil to bring life back to the wood.
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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
6 years ago
Do not put oil on this before you check with an expert. You may devalue the piece.
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richfield95
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks, I don’t plan on putting a finish on it, just looking for ideas how to clean up all the details on it. I’m not sure if you would put oil on teak (if that’s what it is)?

We do have an air compressor, but I think I’ll try one of the small cans of compressed gas for keyboards first, I wouldn’t want to over do it with the air pressure
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
6 years ago
Then you'll also need a soft paint brush to help
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miss lindsey (She/Her)
6 years ago
Following
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jmm1837
6 years ago
I'd use a soft bristled artist's brush. Gentle, and it will get into nooks and crannies.
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PRO
Beth H. :
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
blow out all the dust, use a fine toothbrush to help. use a bit of mineral spirits to help clean. Pure tung oil (not tung oil finish, or danish oil finish) mixed w/a little citrus solvent, can be used to bring it back to life. if it doesn't say 100% tung, then it's got varnish in it. you could also used boiled linseed oil, hemp oil, any of those will be fine. It won't devalue it. if the wood is dry, it will suck it right up.

the guys over here might be able to further advise

http://www.woodworkingtalk.com
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PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
IMO you will need to actually use something to get rid of layers of dirt so check with a good furniture restoere for the proper stuff and get a box of q tips you will need them
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lindac92
6 years ago
Canned air will do a good job. I don't consult a "furniture restorer" because many don't really know what they are doing.
If you actually have "gunk" in some places, mineral spirits on a Q-tip will do a good job and also won't harm the wood. if it really is teak and I think it is....there will be no finish as such.
I second the vacuum with the brush on your weekly cleaning.
That sort of teak carved chinoiserie was very popular in the late 1800's. There is a lot out there....not to be confused with the more modern stuff made in indonesia.
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lindac92
6 years ago
I see some recommend "Danish oil" or tung oil or linseed oil....both linseed oil and tung oil will polymerize and form a finish like varnish. Do not use on a deeply carved piece like that.
richfield95 thanked lindac92
albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
6 years ago
Just reading this make me a little bit sad. It just doesn't sound right to suggest putting stuff like oils on something that may be 200 years old.
richfield95 thanked albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
richfield95
Original Author
6 years ago
Just wanted to show you all the results after vacuuming with a soft bristle attachment......

After using a slightly damp soft bristle toothbrush

Shot of the table’s base

And the face that creeped me out as a child...

Thank you for the suggestions!
miss lindsey (She/Her)
6 years ago
Wow, beautiful!
chiflipper
6 years ago
Not any kind of "expert" but to me it appears Indonesian in origin. You can take it to an automotive body shop, 15 minutes with a high psi air compressor will rid the top of anything loose. CAUTION - have them lower the pressure when cleaning the legs, you don't want to break any of the carvings.