Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500448
06/24/03
Silicone Polish
Silicone is used in most modern furniture polishes.
It adds gloss and water repellency and so protects the
finish. If one is refinishing furniture at home,
silicones left on may cause problems. These silicones
must be removed during the refinishing process, or the
new finish will not adhere properly, and craters and
pits, called "fish eyes," will form on the new finish.
Remove the silicone before stripping and sanding by
washing the surface with a cloth wet with turpentine and
sprinkled with a heavy-duty powdered laundry detergent.
Allow the turpentine to remain in contact with the finish
for two or three minutes. Wipe the surface with a clean
cloth, using a fresh part of the cloth with each wipe to
prevent transfer of the silicone back to the wood
surface. If some evidence of "fish eyes" appears on the
surface when a new finish is applied, wipe off the
finish and mix in with it a finish additive made to
eliminate this problem. Finish additives are available
under various brand names at paint stores or wherever
refinishing supplies are sold.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus with references from Recipe for
Furniture Care, National Assoc of Furniture Manufacturers.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State
University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race,
color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability,
political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .