How To Remove Paint and Varnish
Before you start. At least 90% of any repainting is surface preparation. The finish is only as good as the surface to which it is bonded. Stripping off old finish can be done in three ways:
- With a chemical remover
- With heat
- With abrasives
Sometimes it takes all three. It always involves lots of muscle power and plenty of patience.
Professional wood stripping is done by dipping the piece to be stripped into a large vat where it is immersed in a chemical bath. In seconds the powerful chemicals remove all old finish right down to the bare wood. The piece is then removed from the vat and hosed off with water. The cost of this service is not prohibitive. However, the chemicals are so harsh that a really fine piece of furniture can be damaged. The treatment can take the “life” out of the wood and it can damage glue joints. If in doubt ask before dipping.
Shellac and lacquer finishes are easy to remove—usually. To remove shellac, make a pad of 000 steel wool and dip it in denatured alcohol. Shellac is thinned with alcohol. In small areas, go over the surface of the wood, moving the steel wool pad in a circular motion. Have patience. Give the alcohol plenty of time to soften the shellac. To remove lacquer, follow the same procedures as for shellac EXCEPT use lacquer thinner instead of alcohol.
Caution: Thinners for shellac and lacquer removal are very pungent and can be harmful to your hands. Always have plenty of ventilation or work outdoors when using thinners. Also wear rubber gloves. The thinners also are flammable; be careful. If the thinners do not work adequately, then try paint and varnish remover, applying it with a steel wool pad in a circular motion. Remember to wear gloves.
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