Pine Cabinet Varnish Removal

Somerset

Hello

I bought a c1900 old pine cabinet that needed 'light restoration' HA. Seemed like a good idea at the time ! Anyway, this thing has been heavily varnished and a bit at a time I've tried to take it back to the original pine. I've had to use a sander for the bulk , and paint/varnish stripper for other bits. I've probably cleaned off 90% of it. Now I'm left with the fiddley bits like the carved cornice, strips inside doors etc. I've bought and used a dremel but it's no good - it's too harsh and gouges the pine. I think I already know the answer - that I have to hand sand down these fiddley bits with sandpaper as best I can. It's going to take ages though.

Does anyone have any other idea's ??

P.S. This varnish is layers & layers of the stuff.

myrnahaz

Plaster a thick layer of varnish/paint stripper on to the carved bits, leave for the required time (very important not to rush this bit) scrub the mouldings with a stiff toothbrush or nail brush, and wash off with water. Repeat if necessary. Make sure you protect your face, hands and surrounding floor etc, as the chemical will splash about a bit.

It's also quite therapeutic to pick the stubborn dried bits out of any grooves with a pointy knife or shave hook - again, be careful not to stab yourself or gouge the wood.

lipidicman

Somerset wrote:

I've bought and used a dremel but it's no good - it's too harsh and gouges the pine.

Hope you haven't done too much damage!

Somerset

lipidicman wrote:

Hope you haven't done too much damage!

Ummmmmm


No don't think so - difficult to see place ........... and it adds character :rotfl:

Js_Other_Half

Has anybody actually use this? :-

http://search.ebay.co.uk/ready-strip_W0QQfcdZ2QQfnuZ1QQsacurZ3QQsalicZ3

Rhino666

Did a similar restoration project myself a few years ago.

Cheap paint stripper from wickes - 2 litres costs about a tenner.

The old tooth brush is a good idea as mentioned earlier but I found fine grade wire wool works best.

Paint stripper does dry the wood out so always apply clear wax or antique pine wax, if you want to age the pine afterwards. My welsh dresser was painted white and full of woodworm - looks fantastic now.

Somerset

Thanks Rhino

I did a bit last weekend - Paint stripper first, then cleaned off. Then used sandpaper of what was left over. It comes off but takes a lot of time. Will try the wire wool you mentioned.

I've been waxing as I go - really just to see a 'finished bit' to give me encouragement.

Cheers

Rhino666

Just remembered that the wire wool works best when a bit of white spirit is added.

Good luck !