G'day Tony, I have not sourced any planes from chimneys, but find a mix of
BLO, Metho, Turps, Vinegar to do a pretty good cleaning job, and leaves a
bit of a finish. I cannot remember the proportions I first read, but just
make it up from time to time, refreshing the mix periodically with metho (or
denatured alcohol, in the illusion that it is somehow better). I would use
dry cleaning fluid, or paint thinner, if there was no turps on hand. Slurp
it on, and rub with a Scotchbrite(r) pad. Wipe off and repeat as necessary.

I wonder if a version with Shellac in lieu of vinegar might leave a better
finish?

Cheers
Peter

-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Blanks
Sent: Monday, 1 September 2014 4:46 PM
Subject: [OldTools] Cleaning blackened moulding planes?

Friends,

I seek advice, guidance, experience or failing that, opinions, before I do
something I may come to regret.

I have some European (English) beech moulding planes, boxwood slipped, which
have been oiled within an inch of their life and then apparently stored in
the back of a chimney.  Dark doesn't begin to describe them.  
I doubt that they will ever be returned to the warm honey brown of patinated
beech, but I'd like to lighten the colour if that can be done short of using
paint stripper.  I looked at Tony Seo's Galoot Formula #1 page, but reading
the cautions I doubt that adding more linseed oil and wax to the existing
coat will improve the situation.

Any suggestions as to how to go about doing this would be appreciated.