Furniture Stripping
DIY Furniture Repair
Stripping, or removing the old finish, is usually the messiest part of furniture restoration.
Removing the old finish from a piece of furniture is a drastic step in the restoration process. Before deciding to strip a piece, make sure you can't preserve and renew the original finish. Remember, stripping and refinishing an antique or collectible can greatly reduce its value.
Once you've decided to strip and finish, what's the best method? Generally speaking, there are three ways to strip wood: with heat, with chemicals, or by sanding. Although each method will work, they are not all necessarily appropriate for stripping antique furniture. That's why we recommend stripping furniture by hand.
Hand Stripping Furniture
Furniture stripping by hand is perhaps the most recognizable method of chemical furniture stripping, and it is the simplest and best method for the do-it-yourselfer. You apply a chemical solvent to the finish, dissolving and/or lifting it, and then either scrub or scrape off the finish by hand. The method requires more work and can be a little slower than commercial dipping (dipping furniture into a tank of hot caustic solution until the finish dissolved), but it has many advantages. The most important advantage is that hand stripping furniture won't damage furniture as easily as dipping: It doesn't destroy the beauty of the wood and doesn't loosen joints or damage veneer. Also, most finish removers designed for use by hand will not raise the grain of the wood. All these features mean less work in the finishing process.
The supplies you need for hand stripping furniture are readily available. You can choose from a variety of brands and types of finish removers at home centers, hardware, or paint stores. Read labels carefully to identify which stripper is best for your project.
How to Remove Furniture Finish?
Stripping paint or furniture finish does not require a great deal of skill or training; what it does require is preparation. Without the proper work area, safety practices, tools and materials, you'll end up with a mess at best and a disaster at worst. Put some time, effort, and thought into preparation for your project, and it will pay off later.
The work area and safety are the first considerations before you begin furniture stripping. The best place to strip furniture is outdoors. Set up an area in the shade, so the stripper does not dry out before it has time to work. If you are unable to work outside, set up a work area that's well ventilated with a fresh-air supply. Two open windows, with an exhaust fan in one, will keep a flow of fresh air through the room so fumes don't build up.
Wear a charcoal filter respirator, particularly when stripping indoors, but keep in mind that wearing a respirator does not negate the necessity of cross ventilation and fresh air. Cover the floor with a drop cloth (plastic or canvas) and plenty of old newspapers to catch drippings; stripper solvent can dissolve some floor materials. Don't allow smoking in or near your work area, and always read and follow label instructions for any stripper product you use.
Protect your eyes and skin with safety glasses, chemical-resistant gloves, and protective clothing—long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a thick work apron. When working on smaller items, such as chairs, set them up on a workbench so you don't have to bend over and work in awkward positions. This will make your work easier and prevent back strain and accidents.
After you've set up the work area, assembled the tools and materials needed, and read all product instructions, you're ready to begin the furniture stripping process. Be sure to allow enough time to complete the furniture stripping process you are starting, based on the size of the piece.
Tools and Materials
• screwdriver and other disassembly tools
• protective gloves, clothing, and equipment
• old newspaper
• stripper and proper containers
• old bristle brush
• scraper
• #1 or #2 steel wool or abrasive pad
• brass brush
• lacquer thinner or other solvent
• cotton rags
1) Apply the stripper
Remove all hardware from the furniture. If the hardware has been painted, submerge it in a container of stripper to dissolve the paint. Disassemble the furniture where possible by taking out removable shelves, removing doors and drawers, taking out table leaves on drop leaf tables, etc. Place everything to be stripped over a layer of old newspapers.
Some removers require shaking, so read the label and shake only if necessary. Remove the top of the stripper container carefully, as some removers can build up pressure in the can or bottle. Pour a healthy amount of stripper into a wide-mouthed can or pan, and then lay a heavy wet coat on the finish surface by brushing in one direction. Don't brush over the surface once it's wet, as this will pull the stripper off the surface and cause it to evaporate quickly.
2) Scrape off the stripper
After the entire surface is wet, allow it to soak for 10 to 20 minutes, giving the chemical time to soften and lift the finish. Don't allow the remover to sit so long that it dries up. Check the finish with a scraper to see whether it has been lifted or softened enough to expose the raw wood. Some finishes will bubble and wrinkle, which will be obvious, but others will only soften, and you'll have to check them with a scraper to see whether they're dissolved. If the finish doesn't seem ready to come off, let it soak a little while longer. Carefully remove furniture finish by scraping the old dissolved finish from the surface, pushing it into a wide-mouthed can, saucepan, or small pail. If the furniture has intricate turnings, carvings, or other areas that are difficult to get at with a scraper, go over those areas with a brass brush or abrasive pad to get at the nooks and crannies.
3) Rub with an abrasive pad
If undissolved finish remains on the surface, recoat it with the remover as before and allow it to sit again, giving the chemical time to work. Scrape the remaining dissolved finish into the can you're using for waste. Use an abrasive nylon pad or a #1 or #2 steel-wool pad dipped in the furniture stripper to scrub the surface to remove any remaining finish. Scrub with the grain of the wood whenever possible. If necessary, use a knife, scratch awl, or pointed dowel to clean finish out of nooks, crannies, and crevices. A brass-bristle brush can also work for carvings or crevices.
Scrub down the piece with a clean abrasive pad and lacquer thinner or other appropriate solvent to remove any leftover oils, waxes, or furniture stripping residue. Examine the piece for any remaining finish, and apply stripper to these areas again if needed to loosen the finish. Then scrub it off. It's always easier to remove furniture finish at this stage than to try to remove it later during the sanding stage.
4) Clean with solvent
Wash down the piece using a rag dipped in lacquer thinner or other solvent; use a clean rag and solvent for a final wipe-down. Let the piece dry overnight before sanding or finishing. Clean any old finish and furniture stripping residue from tools using solvent. Allow the leftover stripping sludge in the waste can to dry out completely before disposing of it, and consult local waste-management authorities regarding any ordinances concerning proper disposal.
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Source: B.Hingley
