Best degreaser?

[LowMoFo]

Hi all, quick question, 

What is the best de-greaser for wood which is stained with spirit-based stain?

I've read that white vinegar, diluted 1:4 with water is good, but don't know if it will affect the stain or not...

[Dan Dare]

I wouldn't think it would affect a spirit-based stain too much, but it may lift the grain/cause the wood to swell. This may not be such an issue in a dense hardwood, but will affect a softer, more open-grained wood (which I assume it is as it's stained). Are you looking to de-grease before applying a finish? If you wipe down swiftly with a cloth slightly dampened with white spirit, it shouldn't remove too much stain. Spirit based stains tend to sink into wood quite well.

[LowMoFo]

Hi Dan,

Thanks for replying, it's an ash body, and it's just fingerprints that I'm looking to get rid of, prior to lacquering.

Guessing I should invest in some latex gloves, but I'll give the white spirit a go.

Thanks again, sir!

[andytoad]

Surely the best degreaser is head and shoulders.

[mickhardup]

i use windowlene it does raise the grain on bare wood but it evaporates quick and removes greasy fingerprints and its cheap.   

[LowMoFo]

Head and shoulders? Should I use the kind for sensitive skin, or the one with conditioner?

As for Windolene, I did consider this, but feared it would be too 'grain-lifty'^. Not sure that that's an actual term, but you get my point.

Gentlemen, as always, thank you SO much for your input!

[songofthewind]

I’d never put Windolene on my hair.

for wood, though, I use naphtha (lighter fuel. I think it is less lofty than white spirits. Apply sparingly.

[LowMoFo]

Ah... I may have some naphtha buried at the back of a cupboard somewhere.

I thank you.