Cleaning interior woodwork

[nautigirl]

The interior of our newly acquired boat is mahogany, a mixture of solid wood and veneered sheet material, I guess. Its all in pretty good condition, but looks a bit grimey and would no doubt benefit from a thorough clean. Is there any 'magic in a bottle' stuff that would restore the sparkle without damaging the finish?

 

[davidwf]

I tend to use Soapy Wood Cleaner which seems to work well. Most supermarkets sell it.

 

[Guest]

The Pink Stuff

I bought some cleaner called "Skipper's Choice" (apparently also know in Canada as "The Pink Stuff") from one of the "carnival" demo stands at the London Boat Show. It's a pink enzyme paste in a tub, and so far seems to work wonders, and is kind to the hands. Grease (years of heavy accumulation all around our wooden cabinets near the cooker at home), oil (the boat engine room), window cleaning, algae, clothing stains - it all works, altho haven't tried it yet on my green teak deck or the black stains around the waterline, which is what I bought it for - too cold. Anybody else have experience with this stuff, like where NOT to use it? The supplier is near Belfast - I have no connection, but can give the website.

 

[tillergirl]

Some time ago there was a recipe for varnish brightener (after you've cleaned it) in Classic Boat. It was 50% linseed oil, 25% turpentine, 25% meths. The linseed oil gives it a nice smell.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Good ol Sugar Soap, beloved of generations of decorators, works quite well.