Wood inlay pores???

pvicenzi

pvicenzi

Basic Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2008
Messages
6,666
One of my wood inlayed knives has a minor issue. When lookin at it closely, I can see what appears to be small pores with something white in them. I put Renwax on it when it was new, and assume the pores are clogged with wax. Anyone know a way to clean the wood without damage?
 
I've been using Windex to clean my wood inlay Mnandi and it works quite well. I've heard (not directly) that this is what they use at HQ to clean knives sent in for service.
 
If I have some way on a table cloth I use a blotting-paper and the heat of the iron.
The heat melts the wax and the blotting-paper absorbs it.
You can also use a paper towel.
The wood should withstand a shorttime exposure to heat.
Hope this helps.
red mag
 
Windex is for the titanium scales. I would not use it on wood. Try a little mineral spirits on a q-tip. If that doesn't work, a q-tip with a little denatured alcohol will dissolve the wax, but be careful about how much you use.
 
Thanks, this sounds like the answer I was looking for.

JNewell said:
Windex is for the titanium scales. I would not use it on wood. Try a little mineral spirits on a q-tip. If that doesn't work, a q-tip with a little denatured alcohol will dissolve the wax, but be careful about how much you use.
Click to expand...
 
Can you pick up the wax residue with a toothpick? I have done it before and (with some patience) it worked. I did use windex as well, with no damage (just very little on the blue cloth).
 
My mother used a lot of ammonia. One of her tricks was to soak a rag in ammonia, then she would put the rag and the item to be cleaned in a plastic bag making sure the rag didn't touch the item. She would leave the sealed bag alone for a few hours. The fumes were enough to clean a lot of stuff. Hum, maybe I'll wax up a chunk of scrap wood and test that trick..
 
Ammonia fumes will darken many woods, especially those with tannins. I've used this method for coloring oak furniture. Just a warning. Test piece is good idea!

Alcohol is a good choice for dissolving or thinning wax.
 
Thanks for the heads up. The wood is plenty dark already. Does plain old rubbing alcohol work or does it have to be denatured?
 
HomeBru said:
Ammonia fumes will darken many woods, especially those with tannins. I've used this method for coloring oak furniture. Just a warning. Test piece is good idea!

Alcohol is a good choice for dissolving or thinning wax.
Click to expand...

Beat me to it. It's an authentic and time honored way of darkening oak, for example.
 
pvicenzi said:
Thanks for the heads up. The wood is plenty dark already. Does plain old rubbing alcohol work or does it have to be denatured?
Click to expand...

Rubbing alcohol should work about the same. I'd still use just a little on the q-tip.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top