Clay Removal

[JLR]

The PO used clay to secure lamps etc. on tables and night stands. I'd like to remove the clay residue. What should I use that will not scratch the wood surface or remove the wood stain. Thanks.

 

[SEVEN]

Not sure if it’s really clay but, clay is water soluble and should re-wet and loosen. Also try mayonnaise it will help put oils back in the film while loosening the clay. Best of luck.

 

[bobk]

Using clay is strange. Museum putty would have been much better. The common modeling clay has oils and some kind of filler. Can you rub it off with a terry cloth? You may find the finish on the table is more shiny or darker where the clay was. If so, some of the oils probably migrated into the finish and you will need to try to soak it out. The first thing I would try is odorless mineral spirits. Soak a rag or paper towel and place it flat on the surface and wait. Also mix small bits of the putty that you removed with various solvents see what makes it break up.

If nothing works, cover the spot with another lamp? Doily, Candy dish? Or if you really want to save the table, sand it lightly and apply several coats of high gloss varnish and then rub the glossy surface down with rotten stone or pumice to get the gloss level you want.

Good luck,

Bobk

 

[Boatsb]

Plastic scrapers and razor blades

 

[Cricket]

John, it might be butyl tape, Ocean and Viking use it a lot to mount stuff. Don't know what would be best to remove it, it's very sticky and also strong.

 

[JLR]

It is actually residue only. I assumed it was clay. Could be putty of some sort. It is soft enough to move around but short of using a fingernail and possibly scratching everything, I was hoping to find some sort of liquid to remove it. I will try the suggestions mentioned so far or any others to come. Thanks.

 

[Cricket]

Maybe start with Goo Gone and get more aggressive with the chemicals from there? Not sure what Ocean finished their interior woodwork with, most of the interior parts were made by a local subcontractror, can't remember their name.

 

[bobk]

It is actually residue only. I assumed it was clay. Could be putty of some sort. It is soft enough to move around but short of using a fingernail and possibly scratching everything, I was hoping to find some sort of liquid to remove it. I will try the suggestions mentioned so far or any others to come. Thanks.

Ahh, try Goof Off or Goo Gone.

Bobk

 

[Boatsb]

Good suggestion. Try it in an inconspicuous area to see if it attacks the finish.