Home ~ About Wood Elixir ~ How It Works

Use Wood Elixir for ...

dull finish
surface scratches
tin toys
toll painting
old decals, transfers
dehydrated finish
lettering
logos
combination materials i.e. metal, wood, leather
brass
rust
oxidized paint
crayon
candle wax
ink
oil-based stains
lipstick
finger prints

Wood Elixir was recommended in Style at Home Magazine

smoke film
soot
smoke smell
water-based stains
silicone polish residue
wax polish buildup
magic marker
grease pencil
lead pencil
label removal
gum
mold & mildew stains
mildew smell
paint splatters
latex or alkyd paint smears
oil
tape
adhesives
cigarette burns
scorching
wicker
rattan
pet urine
crazed/alligator finish
and much, much more!

Wood Elixir was featured on HGTV Canada's 'Room Service'

How does Wood Elixir work?

Dr. Woodwell's Wood Elixir is a unique formulation designed to clean, rejuvenate and enhance all types of wood finishes. What sets Wood Elixir apart from other products is that it does all three tasks at once.

HowItWorks.jpg: 600x855, 53k (June 22, 2009, at 11:40 PM)

Click to enlarge

Wood Elixir solves cleaning problems such as removal of dirt, grime, mildew stains, grease, wax, dried-on food & beverage stains, sticky residues from tape or gummed labels, paint smears, paint or stain over-spray, chewing gum, lipstick, magic marker, grease pencil, crayon, lead pencil, ball-point pen ink, etc.

While the surface is being cleaned, the finish is being rejuvenated. As well, damage to the finish caused by dehydration and excess moisture is being repaired through reamalgamation of the finish to the wood surface. Problems solved through this process include removal of white water rings, white hazing, scratches, cracks in the finish, finish separation from the wood, and, Wood Elixir reverses dry-finish flaking.

Wood Elixir can also be used to clean and protect painted surfaces, tin, leather, and decals!

How does Wood Elixir compare?

How does Dr. Woodwell Wood Elixir compare to Howard Restor-A-Finish and Orange Glo?

The Story Behind This Photo ...

"In October of 1998, I was asked to do a demonstration of the various uses for WOOD ELIXIR at the Southworks Antiques Mall in Cambridge Ontario.

"As one of the demonstration pieces, I took an antique walnut headboard on which I applied Wood Elixir, Restor-a-Finish* and Orange Glo* to separate areas. The original shellac finish was present but dehydrated with noticeable stress fractures and light colored striations indicative of a deterioration of the bond between the wood and the finish which, if left unattended, would cause the finish to flake off.

"After that show, I took my sample pieces home and left them in my driveway intending to store them inside later. Winter came early and the ice formed around the base of the headboard and it became stuck. I left it there, exposed to the elements for the rest of the winter. The above photo was taken in the spring of 1999. You can see that where the Restor-a-Finish and the Orange Glo products were used, the finish is totally missing. Where I applied Wood Elixir the finish was still in tact.

"I still have this headboard. It is still outside. The Wood Elixir treated finish is still in tact!"

Murray Westbrook,
President, Dr. Woodwell Solutions
September 2002

What is the difference between Wood Elixir and ...

Howard Restor-A-Finish™ *

Restor-A-Finish*	Wood Elixir
A tinted surface finish treatment. Adds color to the finish, and the purchase of additional bottles is required to work with different wood and finish colors.	A finish restorer - instead of imparting color or improving appearance cosmetically, Wood Elixir penetrates and restores the original finish. The patina of antique furniture is maintained. One product works with all wood finishes and colors.
Fills scratches by adding color. Particularly helpful on some modern furniture where the color is in the finish, opposed to wood having been stained and a clear finish applied. Treats and beautifies the surface.	Reduces the appearance of scratches by reactivating and smoothing the existing finish. Certain ingredients penetrate to reamalgamate a dehydrated finish, and leaves a protective membrane even after wiping dry to the touch. Since Wood Elixir penetrates, strengthens and seals the original finish, the results are long-lasting (see photo above).
A quick-drying product. This reduces the ability to control the results.	Wood Elixir offers control over the process and the results. The product cures over a 24 hour period ... if additional applications are required to achieve the desired results, within 24 hours the previous application will be reactivated when additional product is applied. Allowing the sealing membrane to cure between applications, Wood Elixir can be built up to produce a hand-rubbed "French Polish" type of finish.
Click here to read a candid opinion from a Restor-A-Finish user

Orange Glo™ *

Orange Glo*	Wood Elixir
A satisfactory surface cleaner. Orange Glo has no restorative characteristics and offers no lasting protection.	By penetrating and imparting beneficial ingredients, Wood Elixir restore the existing finish instead of simply cleaning the surface. Once Wood Elixir cures, it offers additional protection against future damage.

BriWax™ *

BriWax*

Wood Elixir

BriWax is an excellent protective wax. If the finish is damaged, flaking, or dehydrated, using BriWax (or any wax) will simply seal the damaged surface. We often see this on pieces brought into Dr. Woodwell Antiques for restoration.

Dr. Woodwell's Wood Elixir will remove BriWax and re-establish the finish. Wood Elixir will restore the damaged finish, and cure to leave a thin, protective membrane. Numerous coats of Wood Elixir can be applied (allowing 24 hours between applications) to build up a hand-rubbed "French Polish" type finish. However, after restoring the original finish with one application, a good quality wax (like BriWax, or any wax containing carnuba) can be used to produce a higher-gloss.

* Trademarks remain property of their respective owners, and are used only to identify products used in this comparison.
Their use in no way indicates a relationship between Woodwell Products and the owners of said trademarks.