RE: Antique Improver

> Has anyone had any experience with this product , 
> Kramer's Antique Improver ?
> I haven't tried it, yet .
> Mr. Kramer makes the formula himself from 14 active ingredients.
> Two of them are turps and alcohol which are put into a working suspension.
> Anyways it sounds interesting.
> Any users?
> Bob Rowland



Martin O'Brien writes:

Bob,
    
I have used it for about 9 years.  It is unlike anything else I have come across.  
I use it for particular things.  Here's one example.  

A customer has a set of mahogany side chairs built about 60 years ago.  
Lacquer is scratched in a few places and gone in others, but mostly the 
chairs are dirty.  She does not want any gloss at all, not even from waxing.  
The appearance this gives the chairs pleases her.  I did necessary repairs 
first, cleaned the whole chair with either mineral spirits or the Kramer's 
blemish remover.  Either cleaning method works O.K.  

Then I applied the "Improver" following all directions. It's best to wait a week 
after application and rub the piece again with a clean cotton cloth.  I'm careful 
about using it on real period antiques which really only need superficial cleaning, 
reason being,  I think it has some linseed oil in it which could cause some 
discoloration or finish contamination over time.  I also think it has some vinegar 
in it which some people tell me will cause damage.  

I have spoken to Mr. Kramer and feel that he is very well educated and informed 
as to the differences between conservation, restoration and refinishing.  I think his 
product is meant to address all those areas.  I wish I knew more about what his 
product did  (that's the chemist/conservator in me), but I respect his desire to 
protect his investment.  I'm sure he would answer questions about the products 
suitability for a particular instance.

MartinO



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