You can transform pieces of furniture easily by stripping off old paint and refinishing these woods to its original condition. By stripping the old furniture to natural wood you can certainly ensure smooth surface that’s free of blemishes and bumps – which can be varnished, stenciled or polished for an absolutely new look. Ensure that you first know what finish you’re stripping since, polish, varnish and lacquer all need different treatments.
Paint Stripping
You need jelly or liquid, paint stripper, turpentine and methylated spirits. A pair of gloves, a scrapper, old paint brush, a sand paper and course wire wool.
If you have a professional for complex work, the paint can actually be removed by dipping the article in caustic bath. A safer recommendation by hand would be using chemical paint stripper to give better results since it adds extra luster to bare wood.
Stripping polish
Before you successfully remove the polish, you have to know the sort of polish. If it’s French polish it can be easily removed using methylated spirits.
Generously apply it on, and leave for some minutes. When it has softened, you can scrape it off with a scraper, followed by a fine wire wool. When the wood dries, you can polish down to nice smooth finish. If it is a Wax polish, it can be removed with steel wool that is soaked with turpentine. Simply repeat until you are at bare wood, then dry off with absorbent cloth.
Varnished and lacquered finishes
If the article is over 50 years it probably is oil based varnish that was made from the resins dissolved in solvents and oils. The easiest and cleanest way is with scraper; just tilt the scraper far from you as you work along the grain. To remove polyurethane varnishes, simply use a paint stripper. Others like cellulose-based varnishes can easily be removed using paint stripper, cellulose thinners, acetone, and turpentine or ammonia caustic soda.
You can test a small part first to find out which one works best. Repairs are essential too before you apply new finish, possibly the draws need re-nailing, holes and cracks should be filled. For minor cracks and holes, you can use a non-shrinking stopper or a plastic wood; all available in different natural colors. Large holes are supposed to be plugged with similar wood, cut to shape to ensure the grain of the pug does run the same way like the rest of the surface, then glue it in.
Summary
When restoring old furniture, you might want to strip off old paint, and bring the piece down to its bare wood finish. Be calm and careful, and you will have successfully restored the furniture.]]>