Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - stripping antique picture frame
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02-17-00, 10:47 PM
I have inherited an antique picture frame with painted wood carvings and it has been painted with a thick coat of glossy white paint. Does anyone have a suggestion or technique for removing the whie paint without destroying the carvings under it?
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Sharon
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Sharon
02-18-00, 07:12 PM
Sharon:
This is one of the few instances when my old reliable stripper (I use a semi paste) ain't gonna cut it.
I'm hoping the frame is small enough to stand within one of the large aluminum disposable baking pans. Go buy yourself a liquid paint and varnish remover - liquid. Get the cheapest natural bristle brush you can find and, of course, a baking pan if you haven't already got one you want to contribute.
Pour about 1 inch of stripper in the pan. Hold the frame upright and place it in the pan. Use the brush to brush the stripper over the bottom edge of the frame. DON'T brush it on and leave it alone - keep brushing (watch out for splatters).
Many older frames that look like wood (especially the ones with the fancy carving) aren't. They have a woood base but the 'carving' is actually done in a plaster-like composition substance whose name escapes me at the moment. This carving won't take scrubbing with stiff brushes, but the constant washing action of your brush application of solvent should remove the paint without damaging what's underneath.
If I'm wrong and it is wood, you've taken a little longer than needed to get the job done, but you still haven't hurt anything.
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George T.
This is one of the few instances when my old reliable stripper (I use a semi paste) ain't gonna cut it.
I'm hoping the frame is small enough to stand within one of the large aluminum disposable baking pans. Go buy yourself a liquid paint and varnish remover - liquid. Get the cheapest natural bristle brush you can find and, of course, a baking pan if you haven't already got one you want to contribute.
Pour about 1 inch of stripper in the pan. Hold the frame upright and place it in the pan. Use the brush to brush the stripper over the bottom edge of the frame. DON'T brush it on and leave it alone - keep brushing (watch out for splatters).
Many older frames that look like wood (especially the ones with the fancy carving) aren't. They have a woood base but the 'carving' is actually done in a plaster-like composition substance whose name escapes me at the moment. This carving won't take scrubbing with stiff brushes, but the constant washing action of your brush application of solvent should remove the paint without damaging what's underneath.
If I'm wrong and it is wood, you've taken a little longer than needed to get the job done, but you still haven't hurt anything.
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George T.