I am a janitor at a local business downtown that has several large business type desks. The wood is a light yellow/blonde & it is shiny. Except there are smudges & fingerprints that absolutely will not come off. I have used lemon pledge, vinegar, alcohol, car wax, car buffers, over the counter products to no avail. The smudges & fingerprints remain. What to do? It is so frustrating! Sally

The smudges and finger prints may be etched into the finish, never know what was on those fingers like nail polish remover. When you used the car buffer were you using a polishing compound?

Hi, Sally!

Have you tried #0000 steel wool with mineral spirits as a lubricant? Just from your description, it sounds like the finishes might be worn enough so that it would be okay to proceed like that in removing the smudges and fingerprints.

Also, some light sanding and applying a stain to match the color and then a low-solids lacquer might be in order here.

Thanks!