OT: Cleaning up knotty pine walls

[Michael]

Advice needed. I removed a backless storage unit from our front room because I
want the space. But because of the many things used for storage over the years,
the knotty pine behind it is pretty beat up. I don't want to sand it because it
will have a different patina than the rest of the wall. Has anyone had any luck
"sprucing" up worn and scratched up pine? What products did you use?

Thanks!

[h***@ccanoemail.com]

On Tue, 13 Aug 2024 19:51:56 -0000 (UTC), Michael

Post by Michael
Advice needed. I removed a backless storage unit from our front room because I
want the space. But because of the many things used for storage over the years,
the knotty pine behind it is pretty beat up. I don't want to sand it because it
will have a different patina than the rest of the wall. Has anyone had any luck
"sprucing" up worn and scratched up pine? What products did you use?
Thanks!

I once used xtra fine steel wool on an old roll top desk -
it cleaned off the decades of grime build-up and didn't seem
to do any harm. A little danish oil afterwards and I was pleased.
As with any finishing / re-finishing jobs - it's best to try a
small area first.
John T.

[Scott Lurndal]

Post by h***@ccanoemail.com
On Tue, 13 Aug 2024 19:51:56 -0000 (UTC), Michael

Post by Michael
Advice needed. I removed a backless storage unit from our front room because I
want the space. But because of the many things used for storage over the years,
the knotty pine behind it is pretty beat up. I don't want to sand it because it
will have a different patina than the rest of the wall. Has anyone had any luck
"sprucing" up worn and scratched up pine? What products did you use?
Thanks!

I once used xtra fine steel wool on an old roll top desk -
it cleaned off the decades of grime build-up and didn't seem
to do any harm. A little danish oil afterwards and I was pleased.
As with any finishing / re-finishing jobs - it's best to try a
small area first.
John T.

It really depends on what the existing finish on the pine wall is. If it is
a film finish (varnish, poly), it will be difficult to repair invisibly. An oil
finish can be cleaned (as you note with 0000 steel wool and a solvent
such as turps or mineral spirits) and re-oiled. Shellac can be cleaned with
alcohol and re-applied.

Murphy's oil soap might work if the damage isn't too severe.

Howard's feed-n-wax can also be useful in some cases.

[Michael]

Post by Scott Lurndal

Post by h***@ccanoemail.com
On Tue, 13 Aug 2024 19:51:56 -0000 (UTC), Michael

Post by Michael
Advice needed. I removed a backless storage unit from our front room because I
want the space. But because of the many things used for storage over the years,
the knotty pine behind it is pretty beat up. I don't want to sand it because it
will have a different patina than the rest of the wall. Has anyone had any luck
"sprucing" up worn and scratched up pine? What products did you use?
Thanks!

I once used xtra fine steel wool on an old roll top desk -
it cleaned off the decades of grime build-up and didn't seem
to do any harm. A little danish oil afterwards and I was pleased.
As with any finishing / re-finishing jobs - it's best to try a
small area first.
John T.

It really depends on what the existing finish on the pine wall is. If it is
a film finish (varnish, poly), it will be difficult to repair invisibly. An oil
finish can be cleaned (as you note with 0000 steel wool and a solvent
such as turps or mineral spirits) and re-oiled. Shellac can be cleaned with
alcohol and re-applied.
Murphy's oil soap might work if the damage isn't too severe.
Howard's feed-n-wax can also be useful in some cases.

Thanks, John T. and Scott! I will definitely give these a try. The finish is
probably shellac. The knotty pine has a dull glow patina.

Another question: Can I combine stains to try to approximate the color of the
patina on the current walls? I.e., mixing dark and light stain to try to get the
right color? Do stains work that way?

Thanks!

[Scott Lurndal]

Post by Michael

Post by Scott Lurndal

Post by h***@ccanoemail.com
On Tue, 13 Aug 2024 19:51:56 -0000 (UTC), Michael

Post by Michael
Advice needed. I removed a backless storage unit from our front room because I
want the space. But because of the many things used for storage over the years,
the knotty pine behind it is pretty beat up. I don't want to sand it because it
will have a different patina than the rest of the wall. Has anyone had any luck
"sprucing" up worn and scratched up pine? What products did you use?
Thanks!

I once used xtra fine steel wool on an old roll top desk -
it cleaned off the decades of grime build-up and didn't seem
to do any harm. A little danish oil afterwards and I was pleased.
As with any finishing / re-finishing jobs - it's best to try a
small area first.
John T.

It really depends on what the existing finish on the pine wall is. If it is
a film finish (varnish, poly), it will be difficult to repair invisibly. An oil
finish can be cleaned (as you note with 0000 steel wool and a solvent
such as turps or mineral spirits) and re-oiled. Shellac can be cleaned with
alcohol and re-applied.
Murphy's oil soap might work if the damage isn't too severe.
Howard's feed-n-wax can also be useful in some cases.

Thanks, John T. and Scott! I will definitely give these a try. The finish is
probably shellac. The knotty pine has a dull glow patina.
Another question: Can I combine stains to try to approximate the color of the
patina on the current walls? I.e., mixing dark and light stain to try to get the
right color? Do stains work that way?
Thanks!

Yes, with most stains (check with the manufacturer) you can mix
stains to obtain a desirable shade. Make sure the stain is
compatable with the topcote.

https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Wood-Finishing-Comprehensive-Troubleshooting/dp/1565235665

[Michael]

Post by Scott Lurndal

Post by Michael

Post by Scott Lurndal

Post by h***@ccanoemail.com
On Tue, 13 Aug 2024 19:51:56 -0000 (UTC), Michael

Post by Michael
Advice needed. I removed a backless storage unit from our front room
because I
want the space. But because of the many things used for storage over
the
years,
the knotty pine behind it is pretty beat up. I don't want to sand it
because it
will have a different patina than the rest of the wall. Has anyone had
any
luck
"sprucing" up worn and scratched up pine? What products did you use?
Thanks!

I once used xtra fine steel wool on an old roll top desk -
it cleaned off the decades of grime build-up and didn't seem
to do any harm. A little danish oil afterwards and I was pleased.
As with any finishing / re-finishing jobs - it's best to try a
small area first.
John T.

It really depends on what the existing finish on the pine wall is. If it is
a film finish (varnish, poly), it will be difficult to repair invisibly.
An
oil
finish can be cleaned (as you note with 0000 steel wool and a solvent
such as turps or mineral spirits) and re-oiled. Shellac can be cleaned with
alcohol and re-applied.
Murphy's oil soap might work if the damage isn't too severe.
Howard's feed-n-wax can also be useful in some cases.

Thanks, John T. and Scott! I will definitely give these a try. The finish is
probably shellac. The knotty pine has a dull glow patina.
Another question: Can I combine stains to try to approximate the color of the
patina on the current walls? I.e., mixing dark and light stain to try to get the
right color? Do stains work that way?
Thanks!

Yes, with most stains (check with the manufacturer) you can mix
stains to obtain a desirable shade. Make sure the stain is
compatable with the topcote.
https://www.amazon.com/
Understanding-Wood-Finishing-Comprehensive-Troubleshooting/dp/1565235665

Much thanks!