Galoots,
	With all the discussion and tables of solvents for finishes, I'm surprised 
no one mentioned Acetone - otherwise known as a universal solvent.  Next to 
Finish Feeder (never
use on a wood plane), I love the smell of Acetone in the morning and use it 
liberally to clean
  many finishes, wax buildup and dirt off tools.  As with other solvents, 
it does not dissolve
many cured finishes.
	If I really want to remove old japanning or red lead paints, I use a water 
based paint
stripper bought from the local hardware.
	As to finishes on wood planes, Randy is correct in saying that most of the 
wood
planes sold without finish.  But, my observation and a PATINA discussion 
and demonstration
  on cleaning tools by Franz Klaus suggest that the owners of these wood 
planes did protect,
  preserve them with a good paste wax.
	Interestingly, Franz was emphatic in saying that only Butchers brand 
bowling wax and
Elephant brand 0000 steel wool be used to apply the wax and burlap first, 
then a cotton tee-
shirt be used to remove the wax and final polish.   Oh well, I'm just as 
emphatic about Finish
Feeder on metal!

***********************************************
*   Karl W. Sanger                               *
*        Desperately seeking antique       *
*                    Machinist Tools!!!           *
* (Email: sangerkw@h...             *
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