Scrubbing too much -- how to best fix??

13 years ago

Hi,

I recently have been cleaning and updating around my house. I cleaned all the cabinets and used Howard's restore-a-finish on them. I'm very happy with the results, except for one spot. There was paint splatter and I scrubbed a little too hard. It made a lighter spot. The restore a finish doesn't cover it. Do you think I can get a slightly darker stain and touch up? What do you recommend?

Also, similar problem on the railing. It has always, since I've lived here, been sticky or tacky to the touch. It's worse in the high traffic area. I scribbed that also too hard. It's difficult to see in the pictures, with the sun. It's not terrible, but as I wrap up my projects for this summer, I'd like to make it a little better, and protect it. The stickiness is gone, but the finish is clearly different there. Suggestions?

Thanks for any help you can offer!!

Tara

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Comments (3)

User
13 years ago
Stain only works on bare(unfinished) wood.

You can touch up with a colored shellac(which is fairly easily removed if the repair attempt is not good).

Or try a dark wax(on the cabinet door).
User
13 years ago
In the future, use the power of chemistry instead fo brute force.

Mineral spirits removed greasy hand grime and kitchen grime without messing up the finish. A soft cloth is all you need: one toapply it, one to dry it.
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bobismyuncle
13 years ago
When finishes are chronically exposed to (perhaps acidic) body oils, it can degrade the finish to the point it's turned to goo. Just removing the softened finish can get you all the way back to raw wood. I see this a lot of well used (think office) chairs, dining chairs, edges of desks, and handrails.

There is no finish left, just goo that used to be finish.

Clean it up and reapply finish. In severe cases you may need to strip the entire piece.

In the future, clean regularly with detergent such as Dawn and water.