Stuff thrifted for free!

[Jay2TheRescue]

@ Rojo Grande:  If using steel wool on vintage chrome, only use #0000 steel wool to prevent scratches in the finish.

@ValleyThriftShopper:  Usually rubbing alcohol does the trick.  You can try 409 or Super Clean, but only if the vinyl is white.  These cleaners can bleach the color out of vintage vinyl.  Resist the temptation to use chlorine bleach.  This will yellow the vinyl, and possibly make it brittle, and cause cracks.

[orangelily]

If you're still trying to remove the pen, I have used hair spray on clothing that had pen marks.  I would try a small area first.  Good luck!

[valleythriftshopper]

I haven't tried hairspray, but I am guessing that works because the main ingredient is alcohol which I have tried.  The chairs cleaned up very nicely so the little bit of ink is not bothering me right now.  I read that different vinyls respond to different cleaning methods, so apparently the type of vinyl on my chairs doesn't respond to alcohol.  

I finished cleaning three of the four chairs and they are in the dining room now.  I ended up trying this stuff called Glass Wax on the chrome & it worked really well.  I have no idea what is in it because it is an old can and has no content info on it, made by some company in Wisconsin I think.  I got it in a box of Freecycle stuff so it was appropriate for my free chairs!  If this product is still made I recommend it for chrome and glass, it shines up mirrors and picture frame glass to a sparkling finish.  

[mccoysnina]

I found free stuff last week-end.  Out neighbors are moving and listed their house for sale.  They held a sale to get rid of stuff so they didn't have to move it.  I found a couple of dished and looked at a vintage sewing book and an Asian print of a flower basket.  Really liked it but they were asking $15 for it and I really don't have any place to put it anyway.
So I passed it by.  Went out for a while and came back home around seven pm.  Sign out front of neighbor's house. 
"Anything in driveway free. Don't want to throw it away."
Sitting there was the print and the book.  Got the print, the sewing book and a couple of other books free for taking them home.
Can't beat the price.
Jeannie

[akbjr]

Very cool story! Wow!

[valleythriftshopper]

When I go to a yard sales or church sales and see stuff that I like but can't justify spending the $ on I usually go back at the end of the sale to see what is free or a dollar a bag, it usually works out pretty well!

[mccoysnina]

One fella I know who is an ardent yard saler/auction goer often hangs around to the end of the sale or comes back  to see what is being pitched.  Often the sellers don't want to pack stuff back up andwill put ti out for trash pick up, or buyers wo bought stuff in a box lot will take what they want and leave the rest on the sidewalk.  He said he has gotten some great stuff free.
Jeannie