How to clean up an old work bench and floor?

[wgander]

Any suggestions on cleaning up an old shop?
I'm using my late father in law's shop built in the 40's: the bench is two 2x12s and a 2x6. They're pretty beat up from his years of use, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. I don't want to plane it because it would lose all its charm, but I'd like to remove paint and oil stains. Mineral spirits didn't do anything, denatured alcohol was only a little better. The spot I worked on came up a nice golden color.
The floor is plywood and also pretty beat up. I scrubbed it last year and parts of it seem to have the potential for looking pretty good. Since it's old plywood, sanding doesn't seem like a good idea, but it would be nice if I could get the years of dirt off it. I was going to lay down linoleum to have a clean shop, but prefer wood.

[a1gutterman]

I do not know how good it will clean grease/oil, but bleach might do a good job of cleaning a lot of things off of your wood surfaces. Wear gloves and do what you can to reduce breathing the fumes!

What about turning those 2X's over and having a "new" bench top?

[eldyfig]

The floor is plywood and also pretty beat up. I scrubbed it last year and parts of it seem to have the potential for looking pretty good. Since it's old plywood, sanding doesn't seem like a good idea, but it would be nice if I could get the years of dirt off it. I was going to lay down linoleum to have a clean shop, but prefer wood.

What is under the plywood flooring? If it is build like a shed (decking), how about laying new plywood over the existing. Would stiffen up the floor.

[dusty]

Assuming that the floor structure is sound:

I would start by laying down a new substrate over the entire floor. Use a plywood substrate that is intended to used in this manner on floors.

Where are you located (climate)?

Is this floor in an environmental controlled environment?

Is the floor protected against moisture from under the floor?

What do you track into the shop besides dirt and sawdust? I track in pea gravel. If I had a wood floor it would need to be replaced/repaired frequently.

[wgander]

Turning over the 2xs would be like a new bench, like planing it. I’m sentimental, and only want to clean it a bit, not completely eliminate signs of the 60 years it has been in service.
I may cover the floor, but would rather clean the existing one; again because of the memories associated with this shop. It’s built like a deck and it’s off the ground. I’ll have to get a mirror and crawl around to try and see what is under the plywood. The floor seems sound – I haven’t noticed any soft spots, and it also seems level.
The shop is in Pennsylvania, at the rear corner of the lot, with a 90’ sidewalk between it and the house, so nothing gets tracked in.
I have a kerosene heater available but may have a gas heater installed next year if it can be vented without building another chimney. I removed the pot belly stove that was in it for years: my father in law used it for heating as well as for doing some blacksmith work. The chimney and stove were both falling apart: I removed the chimney and patched the roof before having it reshingled last year.
I expect to have it rewired this summer
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=1758

[beeg]

Have you thought about using paint stripper and TSP? For the most part, I think I'd just leave it as is.

[wgander]

No, I didn't. I don't have any paint stripper but do have some TSP. I think I'll try the TSP and Barkeeper's Friend to see if they help.
Thanks for the idea.

[wgander]

Follow up:
TSP didn't do much. The package was about 30 years old - wonder if it has a shelf life.
Barkeepers friend didn't do anything either: it does work great on metal and fiberglass, though.
Paint thinner will remove paint and some of the years of dirt. It didn't clean very well though, so I'll only use it for the paint spills.
This has become a low priority so I'll just be cleaning spills when I need to take a break from other projects for a few minutes.

[charlese]

Wow - wgander! Been doing a bit of thinking over your problem. Can't say I have found any cool solutions. Your bench project; to clean it up while retaining the charm of your Father's, Siblings, Grandchildren's wear and tear on it is an awesome undertaking.

If you consider some of the paint and oil add to that charm, you could leave some of it while removing other parts. Have you considered saving part(s) of the bench as is? - varnishing that portion, thereby preserving it, while being able to work over it. You might consider sanding out another area of the bench.

The more I think about such a project, I believe a solution of sorts will not accomplish the job you want done. Sounds like a lot of caring and tedious elbow work! Maybe you could consider using a wide bench chisel to undermine some of the thicker (deeper) paint spills. I've had good luck with using a chisel as a scraper. It is a little easier on paint/varnish than a real scraper.

Good Luck!!