Not long ago, using strippers to remove paint, varnish,
and other old finishes was a really nasty, smelly
business. Today, there are many brands of strippers that
have low odors, clean up with water, and generally are
safer to work with than in days gone by. You can get
liquid or paste strippers and solvents that work to soften
and loosen most any old finish – a real boon if you're
working with complex shapes such as moldings. When all
traces of the stripper have been removed, the surfaces are
ready to be lightly sanded and refinished.
Pour a small amount
of the stripper into a convenient glass or metal
container and apply it as specified on the label.
It's best to start at the top of your project and
work your way down. Take the time to work it into
hard-to-reach places.
Sprinkle a light
coating of sawdust over the stripper just before you
remove it. The sawdust thickens the stripper, making
it easier to remove.
Reapply the stripper
to detailed or problem areas and use specialty
scrapers to remove the softened material. Use light
pressure on the scrapers to keep from tearing or
gouging the wood. If you can't find a contoured
scraper, use the corner of a putty knife.
Scrub the entire
project with nylon brushes or abrasive pads to
remove all traces of the old finish and the stripper
sludge.
Pour a small amount
of the stripper into a convenient glass or metal
container and apply it as specified on the label.
It's best to start at the top of your project and
work your way down. Take the time to work it into
hard-to-reach places.
Sprinkle a light
coating of sawdust over the stripper just before you
remove it. The sawdust thickens the stripper, making
it easier to remove.
Reapply the stripper
to detailed or problem areas and use specialty
scrapers to remove the softened material. Use light
pressure on the scrapers to keep from tearing or
gouging the wood. If you can't find a contoured
scraper, use the corner of a putty knife.
Scrub the entire
project with nylon brushes or abrasive pads to
remove all traces of the old finish and the stripper
sludge.