Speaker Polish? REVISITED

I've tried orange oil and didn't care for it. Very very oily and shiney initally, but it dries up quickly and unevenly then dulls out. Maybe it was just the brand I used.

While it might not be as good for the wood I thought Pledge had a more natural and consistent finish. I've never used Tung Oil on my speakers but love it's effect on wall cabinets I've built.

Incidentally, I don't use anything on my current monitors. I just cover them with dark pillow cases when not in use.

Dave, although someone said in the earlier thread that Scott's was recommended by B&W, and I seem to recall that Harbeth's md also said he uses it (I will get confirmation of that), it actually says at scottsliquidgold.com that the product is NOT recommended for cherrywood, wood that has deteriorated, or veneer! I'm back to worrying about my veneer. (Thanks Tom, btw, for your advice re old speakers.)

If you want to buy the Scott's product, it is sold at big supermarkets, small hardware stores, discount stores and online at their website. I bought some Guardsman furniture polish the other day that I think I like better now.

Paul

I have been an amateur furniture and cabinet maker for over 30 years and have done some custom work for clients occasionally.
The recommendations to use wax touch up sticks and felt marking pens is very good advice. It is cheap, effective and most importantly, you can remove the product if it does not blend in correctly. With the permanent markers be sure to try them in an inconspicuous place first. Test it for color matching and then quickly wipe it off off see if it leave a permanent stain. If it does, then wipe it off with mineral spirits and a rag or paper towel.

Tung oil is not really a polish. It is a wood finishing product similiar to varnish. In fact marine spar varnish gets its durability and weather proof ability because it contains more tung oil in the formula. You would use tung oil products to finish a piece of furniture after final sanding and staining. Usually applying two or more coats and lightly sanding (600 grit) between coats.

I have applied tung oil (Formby semi-gloss tung oil varnish works well)over existing finishes with good results. Just be sure to test it in a hidden spot first. The more coats of semi-gloss you apply the glossier the finish will become.

I have tried many different furniture polishes and quite frankly the best I have found is common old Pledge. Quite a few excellent cabinet makers around the country use this as a final touch up on very expensive custom made products.

Go slow, take care and good luck.

Lemon oil has nothing to do with lemons I am told. It is, in fact, a petroleum distillate. I have used a product that probably has little or nothing to do with oranges called Orange Glo with good results, at least initially, but like all other products it does evaporate. With wood less is best. Products with wax should be avoided as they tend to build-up and, depending on how open the grain is, fills it up. Dusting with a soft rag on a regular basis and the very occasional use of a good furniture polish is all that is required. One word of caution: always be careful around the drivers both with your hands and when using a spray bottle. And no: the type of polish used does not affect the sound, kind of like most tweaks, I would say.

Thanks guys for your great advise. I will try that home depot touch-up pen thing. TWL, what kind of polish do you recomend afterwards?

-Dave