A.D., Waltham

A. I'm afraid you've gotten yourself into a mess, but all is not hopeless. The oil stayed sticky because you did not wipe it all off, or at least all that would come off with wiping with a dry cloth. Normally chemical paint remover will take it off, but that would also take off the paint. So, wipe the oil heavily with paint thinner, or if there is no glue on that harp, soak it a while in paint thinner, which, it is hoped, will dissolve the oil so you can wipe it off. Repeat as necessary. Dispose of oily cloths carefully by burning them. Left around, they will spontaneously ignite.