BEFORE STARTING TO STRIP OLD FURNITURE, CAREFULLY CHECK THE CONDITION OF WOOD, STRUCTURE Etc. AS IT MAY NOT BE WORTH THE TIME AND EXPENSE TO PERFORM A FULL RESTORATION.
To prepare the surface it may well be that the item requires stripping, in which case there are several options depending on the obstinacy of the existing finish. Commercial strippers, stripping baths (but not caustic, which will discolour some woods, and affect some glues), burning with a blow lamp (mainly for architectural fittings) all have their application and use.
Stripper is available from "Constantia" although proprietary gel based strippers work satisfactorily. Do not hurry whilst stripping, let the stripper do the work. More than one coat may be needed in corners, deeper details etc.
The wood is washed with water after stripper and is then ready for sanding if necessary and then the application of oils and/or polish as per sections 3 & 4. Built up wax, polish, shellac or dirt can be removed with Cleaner Restorer, apply liberally, then remove with a fine toothbrush or stencil brush. Cleaner Restorer has a mild etching effect for removing oxidised finish, dirt etc., which has built up over time.
Organic oils blended with the cleaner provide a lubricant between cloth and surface being cleaned. This avoids excess scratching caused by dust particles on the surface.
For an existing finish which is dull and dirty or may just have sticky finger marks on it - Apply Cleaner Restorer reasonably liberally, evenly covering the surface. Leave for one or two minutes, then polish with the grain using a lint free cotton cloth wipe the surface clean. (Check the cloth as you wipe, and use a fresh section when it becomes dirty.) If oxidation or dirt is excessive repeat the process. In some extreme cases it may be worth scrubbing the surface with 0000 steel wool dipped in cleaner restorer - caution is required with this method. Then polish with Lincoln Furniture Wax.