Replies

1. 
   Gretchen | Mar 18, 2004 12:01am | #1

   Get a gppd methylene chloride stripper and have at it. Let the stripper do the work although with varnish it should not be too difficult to remove. Acetone isn't a solvent for varnish.

   Gretchen
2. 
   HowardAcheson | Mar 18, 2004 11:09pm | #2

   The key to fast, effective removal of old finishes is the amount of methylene chloride the remover contains. The more it has, the better and faster it will remove the finish.

   Read and follow the directions and it will do fine.

1. 
   Tao | Mar 19, 2004 04:22am | #3

   I agree with Gretchen and Howie.   I would only add that it is important to let the stripper do the work.  I you are using a paste stripper, put it on as thick as possible (1/8" is good) and let it work until the finish comes off easily to bare wood in one pass.  If it sinks in and looks dry, add more stripper, but don't try to scrape it until the stripper has loosened the finish all the way down to bare wood.  Trying to take the finish off in layers is a huge waste of time and material.

   You can cover the work with plastic if you need to leave the stripper on for more than half an hour or so.  That will help keep it from evaporating.

   Michael R

1. 
   bakesale1 | Mar 19, 2004 09:14pm | #5

   Thanks.

2. 
   bakesale1 | Mar 19, 2004 09:14pm | #4

   Thanks.

3. 
   silver77 | Mar 23, 2004 03:06pm | #6

   We have had excelent results with an"environmentallly" safe stripper called Citristrip.

   Doesn't stink,safer to use, very effective...try it with no risk at leevalley.com...90 day money back guarantee.

   Leave it on for an hour,scrape it off, reapply if necessary; when mostly clean,scrub wood with tsp substitute, let dry ,sand and do what you will...It's all we have used for the past 7 years on antiques. In my refinishing class, I used to demo it by rubbing it on my hands...but I don't recommend that.

   cheers,

   silver