restoring or cleaning wood handles

[beerdog]

Anyone have a any suggestions on how to clean up wood tool handles. Mainly, is there a best way to do it without removing any embossed logos? Obviously, one could just scrub/sand the handle and poly it but then you might loose and old logo. I don't know about how others feel but on many tools nothing beats a well balanced and shaped piece of hickory.

 

[metaleltr]

Just degrease them gently, and use tung oil to protect them.

 

[cgv69]

Depends on the logo and how it's applied and also how damaged\old the original finish is?

I find most (all?) wood handled tools come with a relatively rough, crappy finish. When I get a new wood handled tool I usually end rubbing it down with 0000 steel wool to smooth it out. This won't remove much if any finish (and will leave the logo untouched assuming it's under the finish) but will get rid of any bubbles or other rough imperfections in the original finish. Once I get it to where I want it I then wipe on a couple of coats of Birchwood Casey Stock Sheen & Conditioner. That usually leaves a beautiful smooth satin finish that is a pleasure to hold in your hand.

If the handle is in worse condition then you will probably have to sand it down all the way and refinish it. Depending on how the logo was applied, you will probably loose it but not necessarily. I recently refinished an older Craftsman Ball peen hammer. The Craftsman logo was burned in the handle. I was able to sand the whole thing down and refinish it without loosing that marking. YMMV?

 

[maddawg308]

It would depend how light/deep the embossed logos are in the wood handle. I fear that anything like harsh chemicals or high-pressure water blasting (like a dishwater would provide) would destroy or affect the logo. Think the best answer is use soapy water or a light degreaser would be the best you can do. Use a toothbrush to get the soapy water into the cracks and grains of the wood, and use clean water to rinse. Seal as metaleltr mentioned above.

 

[Outlawmws]

I've had good luck using Murphy's Oil Soap on wood handles, even with a finish on there. I can't promise that it won't not affect markings, but it is pretty mild stuff that way.

 

[Stuart in MN]

As with cleaning anything, start out mild and only work up to harsher methods if necessary. Assuming you're talking about normal grime, use plain old soap and water first - if it can clean grease off your hands, it can clean grease off a piece of wood.

 

[Davefr]

0000 steel wool and boiled linseed oil. Avoid rubbing the steel wool over logos but the BLO won't hurt them.

I agree that a quality hardwood handle beats fiberglass any day.