Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - When can I start staining?
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09-07-01, 10:10 AM
I've been stripping an old walnut cabinet that had about 6 layers of paint, plus the original varnish on it. I'm using Poly Superstrippa for this. I'm down to matte-looking, coloured wood, but when I put stripper on, I get a layer of orangey-brown gunk. What is this? When can I stop stripping the wood and start staining? Can I stain it now if I don't mind the colour?
George
09-09-01, 04:58 AM
Steph:
You're down to the original finish, which may be either shellac, lacquer or varnish. It needs to be removed. If it's either shellac or lacquer, a 50:50 mix of lacquer thinner and denatured alcohol will clean it up. Use with 000 steel wool.
If it's varnish (unlikely) you need to continue with the stripper.
This must be removed before you can apply the stain and subsequent finish. The stain may take OK, but the finish won't.
You're down to the original finish, which may be either shellac, lacquer or varnish. It needs to be removed. If it's either shellac or lacquer, a 50:50 mix of lacquer thinner and denatured alcohol will clean it up. Use with 000 steel wool.
If it's varnish (unlikely) you need to continue with the stripper.
This must be removed before you can apply the stain and subsequent finish. The stain may take OK, but the finish won't.