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.
In reply to " snipped-for-privacy@slp53.sl.home (Scott Lurndal)" who wrote the following:
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.
In reply to " snipped-for-privacy@slp53.sl.home (Scott Lurndal)" who wrote the following:
Much thanks!
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