Defiant Varnish Removal

[AlistairM]

I have started to remove all the old varnish off the transom. As the stuff is quite old it has mostly come off without much trouble, however there are one or two patches that are stuck on solidly and I am having real trouble getting loose.

Can I varnish over the top of whats there or do I need to perservere, If so any suggestions (I have tried the heat gun approach)

Thanks

 

[Forbsie]

Bahco Scraper is what you need.

 

[Tranona]

Would not varnish over it. Suggest either a scraper such as the Sandvik ones or a stripper such as Nitromors.

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

Heat gun and scraper - the only way to go!

 

[Bosunof]

I agree. heat gun and scraper, patience and a bag to catch the bits in as you go. And I have it by the square mile to do.

Used nitromors on mouldings and bits I could take away from the hull. Needed neutralising with water afterwards though.

 

[Abestea]

I can now agree totally with the hot gun and scraper. I started by scraping and sanding alone. Got nowhere fast. Saw this post and tried a hot air gun. Phew! Made a huge difference!! I did not think varnish could be removed with a hot air gun.

Cheers!

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

I was dubious before I tried it for the first time as well. Just watch for scorching!!!

 

[stanb9]

Used the heat gun approach. It scorched! How do you get rid of that??

 

[Abestea]

Ouch /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Not good to hear. I just used the gun to soften each layer of varnish. It got too hot when i tried to remove it all at once. Plus I turned it to the lowest heat setting. I am not sure if it will be possible to remove the scorching with a light sanding.

It is going to depend on how bad it is. I still had to give the grab rails a sand to smooth them down so any small marks were removed. Hopefully your scorching isnt that bad.

It certainly has been a bit of a learning curve.

 

[stanb9]

Big Ouch i think!

One or two bits are quite bad. Contemplating maybe staining the wood before applying varnish.

Will this be ok?

 

[Abestea]

I am not completely sure. This is the first time i have stripped varnish from wood. Staining might do but i am not sure if it also needs unscorched wood to absorb the stain. I think it might. I am using teak oil to try and add some darker colour and eliminate some of the blemishes that are still present so i dont sand it away to nothing!

Hopefully someone with a better answer will be along shortly!!

 

[stanb9]

Thanks for the advice.

Steep learning curve for us both i think, 1st time attempt at this sort of thing.