Anyone know how I can clean an antique metal drawer from a Hoosier cabinet?
Question:I purchased a Hoosier cabinet and I am in the process of fixing, cleaning and painting it. The only thing is, the three bottom drawers are metal (one is a bread drawer with a metal slide top) and it needs to be cleaned. I don't want to rust it out with liquid. Also, I have to clean the wood cabinet underneath and I don't want to warp the wood with water. Any suggestions?
Answers:
suggest not using metal wool. please. For the metal you can use a linseed oil and turpentine 50/50 and for the wood add an acid (white vinegar} in equal parts 1:1:1.If you are to use wire wool use only 00000 (extra fine) and gently. This solution will clean and condition. Wipe all treated surfaces with a clean ganzie rag. This concoction smells wild and the wood solution you must constantly stir but it is very natural. My sister got this recipe while serving a conservators internship at the Royal British Columbia Museum and I have used it to great effect on all kinds of open grained wood with no ill effects.
call any antique shop they will tell u.
I know you don't want to use liquid, but try using a really damp but not dripping rag, have a dry one ready, and use a steel wool or copper scrubber and gently scrub it clean. Just make sure you dry it thoroughly with the rag and let it air dry completely before moving on.
Good luck!
You have to find out first which metal it is made of - then you can go to DIY store and purchase a cleaner or a polisher for this particular kind of metal. It is always better to use soft flanner cloth with any of them, not to damage the metal.
Also - here is a good website with recipies of home-made cleaners and polishers for different metals: http://www.make-stuff.com/formulas/polis...
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