Silicone Polish
Silicone is used in most modern furniture polishes.
It adds gloss and water repellency and so protects the
finish. If one is refinishing furniture at home,
silicones left on may cause problems. These silicones
must be removed during the refinishing process, or the
new finish will not adhere properly, and craters and
pits, called "fish eyes," will form on the new finish.
Remove the silicone before stripping and sanding by
washing the surface with a cloth wet with turpentine and
sprinkled with a heavy-duty powdered laundry detergent.
Allow the turpentine to remain in contact with the finish
for two or three minutes. Wipe the surface with a clean
cloth, using a fresh part of the cloth with each wipe to
prevent transfer of the silicone back to the wood
surface. If some evidence of "fish eyes" appears on the
surface when a new finish is applied, wipe off the
finish and mix in with it a finish additive made to
eliminate this problem. Finish additives are available
under various brand names at paint stores or wherever
refinishing supplies are sold.