Best products to clean saloon brightwork

[Concordia 33]

Another question...

Does anyone have any thoughts on cleaning interior bright work? We have knotty pine and mahogany. The saloon has been newly varnished. Water, vinegar, Murphy's Oil Soap????

Thanks
Sharon and Paul

[jgerber]

Murphy's oil soap is what I recommend to my cabinet shop customers.
l also suggest to dry the wood after washing.

Jack Gerber

[Gary E]

What about TSP....Tri Sodium Phosphate in warm water..
Available at any paint store...

[Concordia...41]

Lemon Joy & warm water on a wet rag. Dry wipe.

Jack I had a guy that used to do hard-wood floors for me that cursed Murphy's Oil Soap I never tested him on his theory, just took him at his word that it left a residue.

P.S. Sharon & Paul - you're going to be so busy out sailing and enjoying the boat, you're not going to be worrying about cleaning the interior. Just chamois the dew off in the morning and go sailing

[Concordia 33]

Hi Margo,

Antique dealers use Murphy's for stripping wood too. I like your advice.


How is Sara?
Sharon

[C. Ross]

Gary, when I cleaned my teak decks with TSP and didn't mask the brightwork well enough it was hell on the varnish. Did you really mean TSP on brightwork and if so what concentration?

I use dilute Murphy's in warm water and rinse a lot.

[ChrisBen]

As Margo says, warm water with a soft cotton cloth (old t-shirt) and a mild dishwashing soap, not the concentrated stuff. You don't need or want any harsh chemicals on your new varnish.
I use TSP to clean oil and other stains on the garage floor.

[Lew Barrett]

No way TSP on the brightwork. Surely you mean some other product. It will etch.

Murphey's won't strip the varnish, but it will collect a bit of dust. Murphey's has a trick though; it's good at cleaning the varnish of fingerprints and the like, and it is pleasant to apply. If you use it, and I see no reason not to, use it highly diluted; a little goes a long way. Wipe dry. But it sounds like you're adverse to Murphey's.
As a rule, I use a tiny bit of dish soap in water (Zymol is good too, if you have it) and wipe on, wipe off. I've been doing this for fourteen years on the interior (Zymol, dish soap or Murohey's; whatever is to hand) to no negative effects. Outside, just rinse her off. If you want to do a thorough wash, buy Zymol automotive soap (the bulk stuff, not the boutique stuff; no need to spend the big money) or diluted Murpheys. You must rinse thoroughly either way, and towel dry if you want a good job. Margo's advice about exteriors is spot on. I only wash people areas outside with any regularity at all. Washing a boat is thankless. A couple of times a year is more than enough!

[C. Ross]

OK, as long as we're obsessing, I like to use biodegradable stuff to clean as much as I can. Seems like it leaves less gunk.

I like this stuff http://www.mrsmeyers.com/Default.aspx and you can get it in Rhode Island.

[Stephen]

I use Old English lemon oil on my interior varnish.

[Gary E]

any thoughts on cleaning interior

Yeah, I mean whut say...and just how dirty is it?.. and if it's not "that" dirty, use just about any of the whimpy items sugested...