On Tue, Mar 13, 2018 at 9:28 AM, Dwight Beebe  wrote:

> I know how everyone loves the BORG, but this might be worth trying.  I've
> used it on older, grimy wooden planes.  Removes the filth, but doesn't seem
> to remove the authentic patina.  YMMV.
>
> https://www.homedepot.com/p/Krud-Kutter-32-oz-Original-
> Concentrate-Cleaner-Degreaser-KK326/203396788
>
>
>
> On Tue, Mar 13, 2018 at 11:37 AM, John Ruth  wrote:
>
> > I'd like to hear some points of view on when is it appropriate to clean
> > off "crud" vs. "over-cleaning", which removes the "patina"
>

All

I have used Krud Kutter, here are some before and after pix.  The chest I
was using it on was trashed in so many ways, that I wasn't worried about
preserving, but making it functional.

Before with a nasty spill on the lid

https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Tool-Chest-Two-Drawer/i-f5jZjRJ

During, Krud Kutter in view in the background
https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Tool-Chest-Two-Drawer/i-j7HqzKs

Before of Drawer bottom
https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Tool-Chest-Two-Drawer/i-xJtSdLw

After (poke around)
https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Tool-Chest-Two-Drawer/i-JmsFjG9


Here are some pix from another chest I degrunged with paint thinner (Feel
free to flip forward and back to see the amounts of grunge.)
https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Tools/Tool-Chest-3-Till/i-ZsD33hT


To John's original question:  I feel that mineral spirits will only take
off crud, not patina.  Alcohol may take off finish, as Krud Kutter seemed
to, so those would be my next escalation.   I use mineral spirits or paint
thinner on almost anything I am certain is not historically significant,
using you guys as a barometer.



-- 
Kirk Eppler in Half Moon Bay, where much needed rain was slowing the
commute.  And apparently the USPS, as a box made it to middle of Ohio
faster than to SoCal.