I just acquired a beautiful cherry Norwood loom.  It looks like the wood has never been cleaned, and I want to give it some TLC.  I saw on another post that someone recommended cleaning with vinegar/water and rubbing down with Watco's Danish Oil.  Would this be fine for cherry wood as well, or is there something else anyone could recommend that would be more appropriate for the wood and finish?  Thank you so much! 

Comments

Wed, 07/16/2014 - 00:56

pammersw

Yes, Watco makes several varieties of Danish Oil Finish. I always use the clear one, which works on all wood, but they also have tknted ones.

Wed, 07/16/2014 - 13:51

Isis Woven

I went and looked at the Danish Oil yesterday, but I read on the container that handling it requires gloves, protective eyewear, and to only apply it in a very well-ventilated area.  I have a young toddler at home (and no garage), so I'd prefer to go with something a bit more "natural".  I found a beeswax/orange oil wood finish - would wax be appropriate to use on this type of wood/finish?  Thank you!

Wed, 07/16/2014 - 16:23

pammersw

Government regulations/corporate desire to not be sued, only! It is very safe.

The gloves are to keep your hands clean (I use thin latex ones) and the fumes are less than from paint. I usually just open a window, if that. My only eye protection is my glasses. Just don't splash it in your eyes.

Wax will sit on the surface and wear off. A Danish Oil Finish will soak in, nourish the wood, and harden it, protecting it from damage.

Use it after bedtime or during naptime if you are worried about your toddler. It's quick - wipe on, let soak in 30 minutes or so, wipe off. Wipe on, let soak in 10 to 15 minutes, wipe off and buff. A bag of t-shirt scraps is perfect for the applicators.

I used it extensively,  without ventilation or eye protection (I wore contacts then), when my kids were little with no ill effects for any of us. I usually applied new coats after they went to bed, did the buffing before I went to bed.

Do you have a deck, patio, or porch? You might feel more comfortable oiling the wood out there. I always just did it in the living room, dining room, or family room - wherever the piece happened to be. :)

Fri, 07/18/2014 - 16:34

Isis Woven

Thanks for the additional information!  I do have a porch, but we've already lugged the beast upstairs, so I'll just apply it upstairs and open a window like you suggested. :) Based on what you described, the oil definitely sounds like the product I would prefer.  Thank you so much for your help!

Fri, 07/18/2014 - 17:24

Gone

Murphy's oil soap is made for cleaning wood surfaces. It works well. If there is additional dirt which doesnt come off easily, I'll use a little amonia/water mixture. I've also used bleach/water/soap mixture which worked just fine. The wood soaks in the water and the oils in murphy's help bring color back to the wood.

Once cleaned and dry, try Watco rejuvenating oil. Great stuff. Has just a light yellow cast so you're not 'staining' the wood.  I used it on a weavers delight loom and it brought out beauty in the wood that wasn't apparent just by washing.  Ultimately, lemon oil is a good maintenance oil. Also an occasional coat of boiled linseed - but not too often. If the loom is varnished, disregard the above! Oil will sit on the surface of varnished wood. Depending on the condition, you'd need either strip or lightly sand (fine grit400+)and reapply a coat of varnish. Minwax wipe-on Poly is a great product and easy to use - you can control the thickness of layers you apply.

But if it's oil finish, then you can continue the oil maintenance. Not knowing the finish of the wood, I'd say try some rejuvenating oil in a few spots and see how they respond - if it soaks in, you're in luck - oil maint. is the way to go. If it remains shiny and oily for more than a day, it's likely varnish. In that case, good old Pledge!

Sat, 07/19/2014 - 13:41

Sealylover

I owned a Norwood loom from 1976 until last fall and followed Norwood's recommendations that came with the loom. I mixed 50% boiled linseed oil with 50% turpentine in a glass jar, then rubbed this into the wood with a clean cloth. Let it soak in for a bit, not too long or the oil will get tacky, then buff off with another soft clean cloth. The cherry will glow, and once the wood is nourished, do this maintaince every other year unless your in a very dry climate, then every year.
Sat, 07/19/2014 - 16:43

pammersw

That is very much like the Watco Danish Oil! Very interesting.