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Whats the yellow stuff that comes off with ammonia

9/16/24       
Roger Member

Greetings, Newbee here.

Cleaning stained/clearcoated kitchen cabinets before I attempt re-stain and clear..

I have no idea how many layers of polishes, waxes, or other products have been applied, so of course a good cleaning is in order..

My cleaning rags turn yellow with the use of ammonia, and I think the same effect with simple green. I am wondering what I am taking off, the finish topcoat or buildups from years of who knows what. I can wipe repeatedly, turning/swapping rags extensively before the yellow residue stops showing up.

I did the test with laquer thinner and denatured alcohol to try and determine the top coat and neither seemed to have an affect.

These are mid 1970's cabinets, stained and cleared. Still look nice but have damaged finish especially where I think they got exposed to water.

I have looked all over to find an answer to this as well as what kind of finish is likely for this vintage 1975 building..

Thanks in advance.

9/16/24       #2: Whats the yellow stuff that comes o ...
Chemmy

Nitro and Acrylics, were still the most used clear finishes for that time period, it wasn't till the late 70's and early 80's that any water born or cat finishes started to become alternatives. As a conservator for antique finishes, no matter what age, the following applies,
A) use the least harmful remover, such as water or a mix of water, and mils soap to remove any aqueous surface materials present on the surfaces.
B) test the surface with mildest solvents that melt or inquiry the coating, starting with alcohol, followed by Naptha, mineral spirits, xylene, toluol, and then the harsher solvents, such as acetone, MEK, MAK, Amyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, ( the main solvent for cellulose nitrate, common lacquers) then the harshest solvents
Such as methaline Chloride, and wood alcohol.!!
If you are pretty sure as to what the coating is, you can pretty well tell if it is such by using either lacquer thinner and applying a drop to an area on the back or bottom edge for a minute or less and wiping with a dry cloth to see if the finish is being removed, this is the quickest way of telling if it nitro, shellac, of course, can be tested with dentured alcohol, as well as other resins and alcohol soluble resins/ gums.
If you need more info just ask.!!

9/16/24       #3: Whats the yellow stuff that comes o ...
JeffA

I know when I bought my mothers home and was washing the walls and ceilings, the rags turned very yellow/gold from all the smoking she did. It was surprising how much tar/nicotine had built up over the years.


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