How to clean Mahogany?

The first step would be to deternine what the finish is.

Personally, _I_ would stat by giving the peices some time to breath, unwrapped, out of the storage area, and then perhaps give a quick wipe down with denatured alcohol on a dampened lint-free rag

Yes, it is probably either varnish, shellac, or just a wax finish. It would be helpful if we knew what is on the table.

I don't think I would do that, if it is shellac the alcohol could soften/strip it. I would use a mild mixture of dishsoap with a soft bristle brush. If the spots don't come out, then the op can decide if they want to strip it or have someone else take a look at it.

Frank

The milky white spots could happen if SOMEBODY put something hot directly on the finish (say.... I dunno.... a BAKED POTATO or something....). The heat could cause water or wood oils under the finish to volatilize and make a distinct milky white spot. DAMHIKT.

It's hard to get this type of milky white spot out by rubbing or polishing because its on the underside of the finish coat. The white spot on my similar table hasn't gone away yet, it's been about 5+ yrs.

-jbb

a quick wipre witha damp cloth will not "strip"the finish off. all it will possibly do is loosen up the surface slightly, and it will return to it's original(but cleaner) state as the alchohol/solvent will quickly flash off again.

Thanks for all of your advice. How do I determine what the finish is?

firstly, if this is a valuable piece as it sounds like it might be, get an expert restorer involved. you might be able to do the actual work yourself, but the knowledge must come from a qualified person who physically examines the stuff in person.

(Melly)

Generally, fine furntiure is finished with shellac, nitrocellulose lacquer, or a varnish. You want to find out which one by a process of elimination.

Find a spot under the table, that is finished, but is hard to see when the table is used normally.

You will need: cotton swabs, denatured alcohol, lacquer thinner, vinyl gloves, and a ventilated work space.

Apply a small blob of alcohol on the hidden surface with a swab. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. If the area under the blob becomes softened, blisters or starts to lift off, you have your answer: shellac.

If not shellac, then put a small dab of lacquer thinner on the same spot. Let it sit and look for softening, etc. If it softens the finish, you have lacquer.

Otherwise, you have varnish, or some other really tough polymer finish like CAB lacquer.

blob becomes

HooooooooDoggies Lookie who the 'possum dragged in. Still pinin' away with yer urinestain? Wassup?

Spokeshave stopped by a while back and appears to be re-loitering. Paddy'O'Lac just wrote up a nostalgic bit and now you, Jums. You newbies keep yer eyes peeled for Walt, Doug and Tom now, ya hears?

I'm the wood finisher from NM, Jim McNamara is the one who lived in Sugarland, TX for years. I used to loiter here long before Jim with a capital J showed up, back when Paddy wasn't selling seedlac.

jim

A more appropriate charge would be Malicious Mischief. :-)

-- J G (formerly "Spokey")

Sheriff Bart is Mongo's friend.......