Also try Murphy's Oil Soap and Lemon Oil.

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER put oil on wood cabinets.
The oil will never get completely dry so it will collect dust and dirt
and just build up.
A good hand rubbed wax finish is the ONLY way to go.

I've used the Olde English Scratch cover in the past with good results, but never the GoJo trick....until I read this post. Great results, thanks for the tip.
EDIT: The product I used was sold under the GOOP name, same results but a better (Orange) smell.

I haven't had any luck finding it in our town! Was disappointed that Home Depot, Mills Fleet and Menards all had pumice but not non-pumice! I will try the little handyman stores next.

Lynn

I'm new to restorations and haven’t done any cabinets yet, so I have a probably redundant question about the Go-jo.
But, I have a Philco 610 that has a decent original finish I want to preserve, but clean. This sounds like the way to go but in some of the photos already posted of the Go-Jo treatment it is such a dramatic change I have to ask is it taking off any finish or just cleaning it?
I don't want to change the existing finish or underlying stain. I do realize it will lighten it just from cleaning it to some degree, but there is such a dramatic lightning in some of the posted photos it almost looks to me like it took off some finish and lightened the staining?
Thanks, Tom B.

Go-Jo can usually be found at auto parts stores. I've bought mine at Auto Zone and Pep Boys. You also might be able to find it in the auto parts section at department stores. It was mainly what mechanics used to clean the nasty grease off their hands. The cheapest I've ever paid was $1.00, but usually it's a bit more. Tom

I'm guessing mine is one of the photos you're refering to.
This gramophone was covered in nicotine which had darkened to original finish on every surface of the exterior. The interior, like in the turntable compartment and the back of the doors, were still in great original condition and didn't even need cleaning.
Being a fairly heavy smoker, I couldn't smell nicotine on the cabinet until I started cleaning it, but as soon as I applied the cleaner, the smell of nicotine nearly knocked my head off.
After cleaning the exterior of the cabinet, it matched the good original interior finish really well, so no finish was removed or stain was lightened.

I've seen Goop at our local WalMart, in the automotive section. I'll have to give this a try soon.

I'm guessing mine is one of the photos you're refering to.



Yes,
That was one. It looks great, and I do see it cleaned it to look like what it is on the inside.
I am going to get some Go-Jo and use the "treatment".

Thanks for the reply.
Tom B.

Goop in the "hand lotion" shaped orange bottle is pumice-free, smells like oranges, and is great to use. Harbor Freight, some auto parts stores. When I find it I buy several bottles.

Pumice (followed by Rotenstone) is a recommended procedure for rubbing out( lacquer, et al) finishes. I've had great success with that two step procedure. So, why is the Go Jo (or Goop) without pumice recommended? Is it because the referenced procedure is designed to just clean, and not abrade/flatten the surface? Just thought I'd seek a clarification.
BOB

A friend, who reconditions used cars for resale, uses Go Jo (GOOP) for interior (dashboard's, etc) clean up. It works great fo that purpose.
BOB

Lynn et al... I finally found the white Gojo (actually my wife did) among
the tools in Walmart here.

Question: Has anyone tried to refinish a cabinet after using Gojo on it?
Any problems?
Nelson

If you do the full "treatment" ending up with coats of wax, you'll
need to use mineral spirits to strip the wax off before you refinish.
Goop or GoJo won't leave anything on the finish, it's just a cleaner
that you wipe off with the dirt.

Nobodys tried to "guess that radio" yet? From what i can tell it is a Philco 40-216?

The pumice in ordinary hand cleaner is too harsh for refinishing purposes. Pumice or rottenstone used in rubbing down lacquer is very fine powder.

+1!
you can feel the grit in the hand cleaner. Not good for final polishing.

I think I just made a huge newbie error. I have one of the "bullhorn" RCA with the faux wood grain. Plastic cabinet I beleive. I started using the goop/gojo non pumice and it removed the wood grain. After further research, I dont see you guys using it on plastic/bakelite cabs. :(