In our kitchen remodel, we have the problem of 35 yr old glossy poly'ed knotty pine ceiling beams that of course have a yellow cast. Our new cabinets are knotty alder, and we've pretty well matched the stain to the beams - but that shiny yellow cast I'm afraid is going to look bad once the new kitchen is in.

My husband won't consider painting them, and the cabinet maker said if we did it would likely look terrible because it is knotty pine.

He then suggested that if we took some steel wool or a sanding block to the beams, that would probably dull the poly enough to knock down the yellow cast.

My problem is I have no idea what grade steel wool or sanding block to buy, or if this is even a good idea. Because I have to do this indoors, chemical stripping doesn't seem like a good idea either. I'm also worried a chemical stripper might affect the glue. These aren't real beams, but hollow boxes. And I think if I sand, I'll need a soft sponge because of a little ridge where the pieces join.

Is there something that I could rub on to just dull the poly a bit?