RE: Black Lacquer Folding Screen

Jim McNamara writes:

If the piece is old, it's hard to guarantee what will clean without getting under 
crazed lacquer and causing problems.  Water can lift inlay held in place with 
old brittle hide glue.

Test whatever you want to do first on a place that is hidden from view.

If the lacquer is in good shape (not crazed or chipped) try Murphy's Oil soap 
in warm water.  Otherwise try mineral spirits.  Water hand soap (no pumice) 
is also pretty good. Even if these products work under some areas of the film 
they don't seem to produce cloudy effects like water does.  Nilodor gets rid of 
residual tobacco odor.

On the inlay, work carefully and slowly on the surface of each piece of inlay 
using a Q-tip slightly moistened with mineral spirits.  Solvent or water can 
work under the inlay and loosen it if you just slop it on with a rag.  It may be 
tedious, but is fairly safe.  If the peices of inlay are loose, you'll need to 
freshen the glue, first - assuming animal protein glue.


~~~~~~~~


>>How can I clean this for her without damaging the lacquer 
>>or the  mother-of-pearl and ivory inlays?   

I usually use WaxWash from Mohawk...or Turps,... and some nice t-shirt 
material..and some elbow grease...working in small section and then a full 
wipe down of each panel.......and possibly some Deluxing compound....
depending on the condition of the finish and how uneven the sheen is......
then maybe an oil based polish?? or good wax?

GregS


~~~~~~~~


I'd first try good ole Naptha.  
It will remove the dirt and wax and will not harm the rest of the finish.

KevinHancock


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Mail for any Groop purpose goes to: groop@alan.net


Professional Refinisher Groop introductory webpage: 

http://alan.net/prg/index.html