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Restoring My Pocket Doors

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | March 16, 2018 38 Comments

Last updated on April 27th, 2018

Why do my 19th-century pocket doors glow? Because I clean them with mineral spirits, and polish them with paste wax. These simple “ingredients” can do wonders for all kinds of old furniture. Naturally, I filmed the video tutorial for you:

Thanks for watching. I hope the video was helpful to you in some small way!

xKevin

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Comments

  1. 1

    Belinda says

    March 16, 2018 at 9:27 am

    What a timely video! I just used the last smear of wax I could wipe from the bottom of my paste wax canister and was resigned to the fact that paste wax was just not sold around here, but now I know a brand to order and how best to use it. Thank you so much, Kevin!!!

  2. 2

    Beverly, zone 6, eastern PA says

    March 16, 2018 at 9:32 am

    Very enjoyable to see an informative demonstration with your engaging style. How blessed you are to have such a lovely home and to know how to care for it. You are the exception!
    Happy Almost Spring!

  3. 3

    Dee says

    March 16, 2018 at 9:35 am

    TUMBS UP
    my Irish pro joiner with 40 years experience and lover of all things mahogany…the old mahogany,totally agrees with your technique and absolutely LOVES the pocket doors. So do I. Great job

  4. 4

    Jane Smythe says

    March 16, 2018 at 9:38 am

    Kevin as usual you’ve provided yet another helpful tip. I’ve got a sideboard inherited from my great grandparents. The top might really benefit from this technique. Thank you so much.

  5. 5

    Della Humphrey says

    March 16, 2018 at 9:38 am

    It looks beautiful, Kevin! I have some lovely furniture that desperately needs cleaning, but I was clueless as to how to do it safely. Your method and instructions have inspired me. Thank you!

  6. 6

    Mary Ellen Mercer says

    March 16, 2018 at 9:48 am

    Kevin, I have wood floors that are not shellacked . They are in need of a real good cleaning. I was hoping this video would be the answer…..but….alas……any ideas ?

  7. 7

    Stan says

    March 16, 2018 at 9:59 am

    Keven,
    What a great and helpful segment. I have used Briwax for years. I have it in many colors and neutral. I never used mineral spirits before so I am excited to give it a try on my next project. As a side note if you have an old piano in your home looking sad and tired this wax technique will give it a new life. I had an old 1920’s mahogany baby grand that was transformed by Mahogany colored Briwax. Thank you and now I’m inspired to tackle a new project.

  8. 8

    Susan Iseman says

    March 16, 2018 at 10:02 am

    Thanks Kevin: I have an old English pine dresser that is in need of some love. Do you think this would work- it’s looks kind of “dirty” but has original hepplewhite pulls , so worth a refresh.

  9. 9

    Ann says

    March 16, 2018 at 10:10 am

    All your shares r so helpful!
    I live in a 19c limestone house and am using your method on my doors
    I am a therapist and my pts tell me they like doing therapy in a home like setting that is well cared for.
    Cheers
    Ann

  10. 10

    Marlyn Anderson says

    March 16, 2018 at 10:21 am

    We had cork tile floors in Great Room and Den in the house I grew up in 65 years ago. My Mom would apply paste wax to those two floors. She put it on by hand. I’m amazed she did that by herself. After about 1960 she did use a power buffer. As far as I know there was no other finish on the cork . At that time I don’t think there was any stain in the paste wax. I didn’t know paste wax was still available.

  11. 11

    Marlyn Anderson says

    March 16, 2018 at 10:33 am

    Mary Ellen,
    Have you tried Murphy Oil Soap? It’s a liquid you dilute in water. I used it on maple wood floors in the kitchen of a 1930’s house. It worked great. You just need to wipe up any extra liquid with a soft dry cloth.

  12. 12

    Kathleen Todd says

    March 16, 2018 at 10:34 am

    Thanks so very much ,I have an old drop leaf desk and it sure could use a treatment like that

  13. 13

    Arv says

    March 16, 2018 at 10:41 am

    Beautiful doors. Great job and great video.

  14. 14

    Ellin Pollachek says

    March 16, 2018 at 10:47 am

    Thank you Kevin. I, too, have an oldish house with lots of spatters that I never seem to be able to remove without removing shellac. I love your tutorials. You always seem to make chores easier.

  15. 15

    Frederique Jennette says

    March 16, 2018 at 10:52 am

    Thank you, I will try it on my coffee table. it might even take out some white rings left by glasses?

  16. 16

    Carol H. says

    March 16, 2018 at 11:15 am

    Will this work on wood that is not shellacked? I have a dresser that is made out of chestnut (that in it’s unfortunate past was painted bright green).

  17. 17

    Juls Owings says

    March 16, 2018 at 12:26 pm

    Wonderful and I shared on FB. Only one question…how long did it take you for the one door? I am moving out of an old farm house but I would love to do the doors and woodwork before I leave as my landlord has been wonderful. Just looking for estimate to plug that time in as we are rehabbing an Amish home to be English

  18. 18

    ROSE says

    March 16, 2018 at 1:20 pm

    Does this help with scratches and dings as well?

  19. 19

    Marcia Colby Truslow says

    March 16, 2018 at 1:31 pm

    I grew up in a family home that had magnificent mahogany pocket doors such as yours. We rarely closed them but as a small child I was overwhelmed with the beauty of them. Thank your for your informative video on how to keep mahogany wood items beautiful and lustrous. Off to buy some Briwax and mineral spirits, etc.!

  20. 20

    sylvia says

    March 16, 2018 at 3:15 pm

    If only mineral spirits were not so horribly toxic to breathe and there is no safe way to dispose of it either. The results are gorgeous however.

  21. 21

    Jane says

    March 16, 2018 at 4:38 pm

    I love this video – thank you! I live in an old house and needed a step by step guide like this. I tried polishing my doors, but they looked worse after so I stooped. I was not using correct products and so now looking forward to doing this correctly during my spring cleaning work! Please show more of these old home fixer upper videos. I love them!

  22. 22

    Nancy says

    March 16, 2018 at 5:38 pm

    Very good information for older homes and furniture. I always learn so much from your videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

  23. 23

    Marie Jackson says

    March 16, 2018 at 5:56 pm

    I have an old mahogany chest that I have been wanting to clean. Thank you for sharing!
    Marie

  24. 24

    Val says

    March 16, 2018 at 8:54 pm

    Amazing difference! Thanks so much for these helpful hints.

  25. 25

    Ann Campbell says

    March 16, 2018 at 9:35 pm

    I have an old piece of furniture that is not shellacked. Is it still safe to use this method? Your pocket door is really beautiful done this way!

  26. 26

    Mary Beth says

    March 17, 2018 at 2:48 am

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am overjoyed you did this video. I wanted to restore my 1930s sideboard. Was looking for someone to do it for me because I didn’t know how to go about it. You are such a joy to watch. I really like that you show exactly what to purchase to get the job done. Thank you again.

  27. 27

    Becky says

    March 17, 2018 at 10:01 am

    Thank you for the wonderful video. I am doing a remodel in my house and have bought old Mahogney doors from a restore for my large closet. I was in need of figuring out how to to bring them back to life and the timing of this video is perfect! I am excited to get started! Thank you so much for sharing.

  28. 28

    Ellie Bullock says

    March 17, 2018 at 2:44 pm

    Thank you, Kevin, for an inspiring video. The difference was amazing!

  29. 29

    marty miller says

    March 17, 2018 at 5:05 pm

    Beautiful doors.

    Mineral spirits ARE toxic so that is a no no for me. Wonder if the wax alone would help my fairly sad looking oak kitchen cabinets.

    I assume the wax is non toxic?

  30. 30

    Anne in Vermont zone 4/5 says

    March 18, 2018 at 1:15 pm

    Thanks for this Kevin. I have pieces and wood walls sorely in need of help. I don’t know what the current finish is though. What will happen if I use mineral spirits on something that is not shellac? How do I tell what it is, or if it is shellac? Now I recall why nothing gets done! Should I just go for it in an inconspicuous place and see what happens?

    Thanks, Anne

  31. 31

    Anne in Vermont zone 4/5 says

    March 18, 2018 at 1:16 pm

    P.S. I like the painting to your left on the dining room wall. I should look again at the DR video to see if you provide information on it.

  32. 32

    Deborah says

    March 18, 2018 at 4:50 pm

    The doors are beautiful!!!!!

  33. 33

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    March 18, 2018 at 5:02 pm

    Hi Ann – For me, the good thing about mineral spirits is that it dissolves undesirable buildups of wax, grease, and oil, without harming the durable finish beneath. Durable finishes include shellac, polyurethane, “varnish,” etc. Glad you like the painting to the left of the pocket doors. The artist is our friend David Deutsch!

  34. 34

    Meredith Hill says

    March 18, 2018 at 8:40 pm

    Wow! your pocket- door looks beautiful. Thank you Kevin for your very helpful video.

  35. 35

    Julie R says

    March 21, 2018 at 5:39 pm

    I’m glad that you did a video on how to take care of wood. It had great advice. You really brought life back into your doors. Would enjoy seeing more videos of home improvement projects.

  36. 36

    Jane R says

    March 25, 2018 at 9:50 am

    I enjoyed this how-to very much. Thank you for all the info, I look forward to using your method in my own home!

  37. 37

    Kathie from IL says

    March 28, 2018 at 5:09 am

    this looks like a great method. Thanks for the video. One question. I want to try it on an old secretary. It has an in design inlaid in it. Will this work?

  38. 38

    MIki says

    April 3, 2018 at 10:16 am

    Thank you for a wonderful video, Kevin! Your pocket door looks fantastic. I have a small mahogany chair that I will try this on. Thanks for the great tutorial!

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