Replies

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 26, 2005 05:15pm | #1

   If the finish is original -- and hasn't been overcoated with polyurethane in recent years -- there is a reasonable chance it is either shellac or lacquer.

   Try rubbing a bit of it with alcohol to see if it dissolves the finish. If not, try lacquer thinner.

   The next step would be to try one or another of the "furniture refinisher" products -- which will generally work on old fashioned varnishes (before they started using plastic resins).

   If none of the above does anything, then you will have to use a more conventional stripper. I would favor a liquid stripper applied with a plastic spray bottle.

   the thing you have to remember about stripping is that all surfaces seem to be unique -- what works for one won't necessarily work for all. So the best thing you can do is be patient, and find the combination of materials/techniques that will work best in your particular situation.

   I am assuming you are up-to-speed on the inherent dangers in doing all this -- especially for pregnant women.

   ********************************************************
   "I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
   -- Herb Caen (1916-1997)

1. 
   Alpine | Jun 26, 2005 10:56pm | #2

   Thanks nikkiwood,  I do believe this is the original finish,  some is in good shape, some is worn(window sills etc.)  I'll try alcohol or lacquer thinner and let you know how it worked.  Do you have any thoughts on refinishing?  I would like to give  it a fine furniture look(dark rich, maybe a satin  lustre)

1. 
   Gretchen | Jun 26, 2005 11:13pm | #3

   I agree with Nikki--I would think there's a good chance it is shellac in which case you should have an easy job for renewing it without stripping.  If it is shellac you should be able to just apply more shellac as it will dissolve the old finish into a new surface of shellac.

   You won't do any better than the color you already have for cherry. No stain should be necessary as the wood has darkened to its maximum in that length of time.  Cherry is too beautiful to mess up with a stain.Gretchen

1. 
   Alpine | Jun 27, 2005 01:53am | #5

   thanks gretchen,  the woodwork is dark in color, do you think it was stained then shellaced originally, or do you think time has contributed to the darkness of the wood?

1. 
   Gretchen | Jun 27, 2005 02:30pm | #7

   What Bob said. It is a natural color. You couldn't duplicate it.Gretchen

2. 
   nikkiwood | Jun 26, 2005 11:18pm | #4

   If you find out it's neither shellac or lacquer, you might have some success with sanding the surface lightly (220-320), wash coating it with the stain of your choice, and then top coating it with a coat or two of varnish. I did this a while back with wainscoting on a stairway, and it came out very well. None but the really experienced eye would be able to tell that the whole thing was not stripped and refinished. The stain will fill in and mute the worn spots. I also tinted the varnish just a little with that same stain.********************************************************
   "I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
   -- Herb Caen (1916-1997)

2. 
   bobpowers | Jun 27, 2005 02:38am | #6

   Your woodwork has had more than eighty years to develop a beautiful patina. Please don't destroy it by stripping it. Just follow the suggestions you are receiving here and you will have very desirable results. Much of this type work is a result of a number of experiments, but try them and you will be glad you did. You will also probably expend a lot less effort and not endanger your wife.

3. 
   Dano | Jun 27, 2005 06:05pm | #8

   Frankly, I'd be surprised if the finish was any thing other than varnish...It's been my experience that unpainted interior trim and woodwork from that era was varnished.  I believe others have posted on how to check which type of finish it is.  I would also recommend against staining.  Light sanding, IMNSHO, would be the route to go.  If it's a satin finish you desire I'd highly recommend Interlux's "Goldspar Satin".  FWIW.

   Dano

   "Form and Function are one." - Frank L. Wright