how do I fix a tacky-sticky wood finish?

[tessman]

I am a complete noob when it comes to cabinetry and their finishes.

I need some advice about to fix the finish on some of the shelves to a 5-shelf bookcase I recently bought. I bought the bookcase from a reputable furniture store, but I didn't fully inspect everything when it was delivered. And I waited a month to set it up. Live and learn.

The bookcase is made of high-grade plywood that was already assembled, and is the kind that has a double-row of holes on each side and the shelves are loose and sit on some pins that you insert into the holes, 4-pins for each self, 2 on each side.

The shelving was wrapped in some paper, I guess to protect them. The paper was stuck to one of the shelves, and looked like a torn label when I separated the shelves to install them. Worse the finish on that shelf was tacky and felt a bit sticky when I ran my fingers over it. I don't know what the finish is, but I believe it is probably some kind of polyeurethane. It may have been applied too thick to cure properly, or the shelves may have set in a really hot warehouse last summer.

I'm afraid to put books on that shelf because I fear that the finish will stick to the books just like it did with the paper. Not at first maybe, but over time as the books sit they may glue themselves to the shelf and ruin the book. What can I do? How can I get rid of the tacky finish? Do I strip the finish on that shelf? And maybe reapply some polyeurethane, or can I just steel wool the dickens out of it?

Any advice about how you would deal with a tacky/sticky wood finish would be appreciated.

-- tessman

 

[walnutjerry]

I am a complete noob when it comes to cabinetry and their finishes.

I need some advice about to fix the finish on some of the shelves to a 5-shelf bookcase I recently bought. I bought the bookcase from a reputable furniture store, but I didn't fully inspect everything when it was delivered. And I waited a month to set it up. Live and learn.

The bookcase is made of high-grade plywood that was already assembled, and is the kind that has a double-row of holes on each side and the shelves are loose and sit on some pins that you insert into the holes, 4-pins for each self, 2 on each side.

The shelving was wrapped in some paper, I guess to protect them. The paper was stuck to one of the shelves, and looked like a torn label when I separated the shelves to install them. Worse the finish on that shelf was tacky and felt a bit sticky when I ran my fingers over it. I don't know what the finish is, but I believe it is probably some kind of polyeurethane. It may have been applied too thick to cure properly, or the shelves may have set in a really hot warehouse last summer.

I'm afraid to put books on that shelf because I fear that the finish will stick to the books just like it did with the paper. Not at first maybe, but over time as the books sit they may glue themselves to the shelf and ruin the book. What can I do? How can I get rid of the tacky finish? Do I strip the finish on that shelf? And maybe reapply some polyeurethane, or can I just steel wool the dickens out of it?

Any advice about how you would deal with a tacky/sticky wood finish would be appreciated.

-- tessman

I think I would try cleaning the shelves with denatured alcohol-----It is probably a lacquer finish and the DNA should take the "sticky" away.

Jerry

 

[Daydreamer1]

Did you call the store where you bought the shelves, or contact the manufacturer?

Sometimes companies will replace an item like this, if it has been purchased recently. In your shoes, I would try that option before using DNA.

 

[Woodyoumind?]

Absolutely call the company first. They may have been unaware of the problem. In order to keep the good faith of loyal customers, most reputable furniture companies will do anything they can to fix a situation like this.

 

[Taggart]

If you can't get satisfaction from the company, and the alcohol doesn't work, do you think that mineral spirits or another kind of solvent may help?

I recently used a hand soap for grease to remove carpet tape residue from ceramic tiles.

 

[woodywoodpecker]

There is also some orange oil based products out there that will take "sticky" residue off of anything. I recall one from the Stanley company called "Orange Miracal" that did really well when I used it a couple of years ago.

 

[Taggart]

That orange product rings a bell. I've also used something with green packaging that may have had green in the product name to try to get grease from a parking spot in an indoor lot. I forget what it was called.

That's a tough job because of the cracks and nooks in the concrete.

 

[oldnamvet]

Maybe Simple Green? A pretty effective cleaner.