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China Cabinet Refinishing - HELP!

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Chris Lang

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Aug 31, 2004, 4:01:28 PM8/31/04
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All,

I have recently purchased a mahogany china cabinet from an auction that I
wish to refinish. I started stripping the piece with a spray on solvent -
but I'm noticing something that I dont like!

It looks as if the stain applied before is not coming out like I need it to.
Maybe I have expectations that arent realistic (this is my first
re-finishing effort), but I was expecting the wood to be a natural-like
color after I stripped the original varnish off. Then...I called a
professional refinisher for an estimate...

He mentioned that what I have done is drive the stain from the original
finish further into the wood of the cabinet - and that it's basically
impossible to refinish at home! I would agree with his first point - but
because he wanted to charge me $900.00 to refinish the piece - I'm not ready
to give up yet.

Anyone have any ideas on what it takes to successfully strip the old finish
off of this cabinet? Maybe I'm missing some pretty simple techniques that
can make this job somewhat easier -

Thanks!

Chris Lang


Mike Wilcox

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Aug 31, 2004, 4:29:10 PM8/31/04
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Chris Lang wrote:

Your refinsher is full of crap. Stains come in many two types, spirit
and oil. Most furniture makers use spirit type stains that are sprayed
on and penetrate the wood, basically like a form of dye. The stain is
then sealed in and top coated with either lacquers or urethanes.
What you need to do is use a "paint on" type remover rather than "spray
on" and scrub the top with fine steel wool, after all of the finish is
removed go over it again with a lacquer thinner and fine steel wool,
then wipe it down with a rag and lacquer thinner. Any dye stain used
will be largely removed this way. Note however some older mahogany
stains on light hardwoods such as birch or maple will remain leaving a
purple shade that will not entirely be removable*

* Some late 19th Century mail order type furniture.

** Do this outside in a breezy area, wear protective clothing, (goggles
gloves etc...) soak all rags in water before disposal.

Mike Wilcox

" Out damned spot, out I say.... Early Scottish furniture refinisher"

Chris Lang

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Aug 31, 2004, 4:45:59 PM8/31/04
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Interesting - I have not tried the paint-on remover. I did hear mention of
the "semi-paste" that I can try.

So- you're basically saying that I should scrub the urethane off (that's
what I think the finish is) and then let the thinner get the wood to a more
natural finish...

I'll give it a try...

Thanks!

Chris

"Mike Wilcox" <spamsp...@montypython.org> wrote in message
news:F75Zc.14443$CG3.8...@news20.bellglobal.com...

Jessica V.

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Aug 31, 2004, 4:55:00 PM8/31/04
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Chris Lang wrote:
> Interesting - I have not tried the paint-on remover. I did hear mention of
> the "semi-paste" that I can try.
>
> So- you're basically saying that I should scrub the urethane off (that's
> what I think the finish is) and then let the thinner get the wood to a more
> natural finish...
>
> I'll give it a try...
>
> Thanks!
>
> Chris


Yes, semi-paste. Steer clean of the fume-free, orange and other "safe"
strippers. They basically don't work. I've had good luck with Zip
Strip, since the Sherwin Williams stuff that I used to use is no longer
available.

Jessica

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