Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - Question about removing dried on stripper

OK, I hate to admit this, :o but I had put some stripper (it's blue and was syrupy/pasty, if that helps) on a table that I was trying to refinish a while back and never got the chance to scrape it off before it turned rock hard. I don't have the can the stripper came in anymore, so I don't know how to soften it back up to get it off. I do remember it being non-toxic or at least not extremely hazardous and it came from Lowe's/Home Depot. Once I get that stuff off of there, I hope to finish painting (*gasp* I know...it's not my favorite idea either) the table so that we can get it into our dining room.

I found an answer already to my question about removing veneer, so that's good to go....however.....how does one go about refinishing the "guts" of a drop-leaf extendable table? (It has the leaves that drop on each of the short sides and three leaves that go into the top.) The wood is nearly white (in fact I think that the stain is significantly lighter than the original woodwork) and I'm painting it black, I'm afraid that if I don't somehow paint the innards, it will look more funky than it already does. Maybe not, I don't know. What do you guys think?

Thanks!

If you need me to take some pictures, let me know--I'll try to get my camera to work long enough for that.

Application of mroe stripper will soften what is already in place. Doesn't have to be the same brand.

In my shop I normally take a table apart - entirely - in order to clean it thoroughly before refinishing. This will allow you to get evrything painted (ugh!) so it will be uniform.

If this isn't really an option, post some pics and we'll take a look and see what can be done.

I know, I'm not thrilled about painting it either, but the strippers that I tried (there were several before the blue stuff) didn't seem to phase the stain on my particular table.

Um, I'm not saying I can't take it apart, but I'm not sure how to take it apart. I'll see if I can get some pictures this evening so that you can see the whole shebang, it will be quite a bit later though, as I am kind of tethered to the house for a while. :)

Better late than never, right? Here's the pictures of the table. It's made by Craddock Furniture Corporation of Evansville Indiana, and the slide mechanism is called "Jefferson EZ Table Slide" made by the Jefferson Wood Working Co. of Louisville Kentucky. Just in case that information helps any. (BTW, the EZ slide works like a dream--it slides beautifully!) :)

Brand Tag (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vRFG-6Rd32PAw6-DG9eFPg?authkey=Gv1sRgCKD79Ny45t-AVw&feat=directlink)

See why I want to change the color? Ugh! (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aaNRX9ZBadbwZAIKFuZMcA?authkey=Gv1sRgCKD79Ny45t-AVw&feat=directlink)

Slider "in action". (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ca_lpY5WX3gNSJxCPewDcw?authkey=Gv1sRgCKD79Ny45t-AVw&feat=directlink)

Slider Brand (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vFOY0GALQH21d2ftFqZCPA?authkey=Gv1sRgCKD79Ny45t-AVw&feat=directlink)

Closer view of the slider mechanism. (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZSZCiGhCsWKiOiNRFHw7bw?authkey=Gv1sRgCKD79Ny45t-AVw&feat=directlink)

Leg Detail (with dried on stripper). (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JdJrLCMTX2fVQLmsjYlShA?authkey=Gv1sRgCKD79Ny45t-AVw&feat=directlink)

If you think it will adversely affect the slider performance by taking it apart, I'd definitely be willing to consider staining it (and the top) since I have to put on new veneer anyway--the legs and chairs will be painted black though. I've seen that sort of mix/match done in the past and it doesn't look too bad--opinions are welcome.

To remove the slide mechanism the table would be turned upside down. The slide is held in place by screws, the location of which you should num,ber, both on the slide and the underside of the table. Once these screws are removed, the slide mechanism can be lifted out and set aside.

Numbering of the screw locations in both places insures your putting it back like it belongs.

The "white wash" finish you're removing is difficult to get completely clean - especially on oak.

"Two tone" finishes can really look nice, and although I STILL don't like painted wood.

Good luck on your project, and thanks for stopping by.

Thanks! When I get the chance to get to the store for more stripper, I'll have to get started on this. :)

Yes I know how you feel about painting wood, I'm the same way, if the finish hadn't been so difficult to remove, I wouldn't have opted to paint it (I really wanted to stain it in a reddish stain). Because IMHO there is a special place you-know-where for people who paint woodwork--especially old hardwoods used for antiques and trimwork....but sometimes, there just aren't any good options. :(