Interior wood stripping

aquaholic

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 Jul 2004
Messages
1,151
Location
London
Visit site
I would like to brighten up the woodwork inside and wondering the best way, was thinking of sanding then either varnish or stain, or should i use paint stripper like nitromoors? any suggestions appreciated.
The current finish appears to be wood stain as opposed to varnish.

https://flic.kr/p/B6oy8H
 
Use a chemical stripper or a hot air gun whichever is more effective. Keep sanding to a minimum as it is easy to go through veneers. Use good quality sharp scrapers to remove the melted remains of the old finish. You may well have to experiment with different techniques to find one that works.

Usually solid wood trim is easy to do but large flat panels like the bulkheads and berth fronts are more of a challenge and you may find cleaning them and a light rubdown before refinishing is better than trying to strip back to bare wood. Again experimentation on a small inconspicuous area is a good idea before doing anything drastic.
 
Get one of these and the hook-it paper to match and it will make like much easier:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3M-5440-StikIt-Hand-Sanding-Block-2-3-4-inch-x-5-inch-05440-/161435894535

Get yourself a Henry as well so you can hoover from the sandpaper as you go, which keeps the dust down.

Marineware Southampton sell them as well as the paper and eppifanes varnish.

Personally I would do it in 6 + coats Gloss then finish with 3 of rapid clear. The good thing about parid clear is that you simply wipe the wood with meths and then can add a coat, with no sanding. Makes tocuh up and maintainence a dodle.
 
Thanks for the replies, I did read somewhere about using wire wool with a chemical stripper.....

Better to use a s/s or nylon pan scourer rather than ordinary steel wire wool which will break up and leave bits to rust. A toothbrush is useful for intricate areas.

With their fine wood stripper Liberon (http://www.liberon.co.uk/repair-and...zMDQmYWN0aW9uPWZpY2hlUHJvZHVpdCZpZD0zMTcmfA==) recommend a plastic scraper but 2/0 steel wool for carved areas, followed by cleaning with white spirit and a final rub down with ultra fine steel wool (0000) or fine sandpaper.

I agree with Tranona that a clean-up may be better than stripping - which will take a lot of both stripper and/or time, however it is done - in which case a wax and polish remover (e.g. http://www.liberon.co.uk/repair-and...zMDQmYWN0aW9uPWZpY2hlUHJvZHVpdCZpZD0zMTgmfA==) may be used with ultra fine steel wool (0000).

I have not had problems with ordinary steel wool, on flat and carved surfaces, in furniture restoration - provided the right grade is used.
 
Talking of wire wool, there is massive difference between most suppliers and Liberon. The 0000 grade from most suppliers is equivalent to Liberon's 000 grade. I have used plenty of wire wool, but Liberon certainly have the finest and softest grade which is ideal for all final finishing and applying wax coatings. I have connection to Liberon, just a user of lots of their products.
 
the heat gun is my chosen weapon - no dust, no chemicals, very little sanding

I love a cold day inside the cabin gently stripping with a heat gun and getting high on the fumes while listening to radio 4 extra

D
 
Talking of wire wool, there is massive difference between most suppliers and Liberon. The 0000 grade from most suppliers is equivalent to Liberon's 000 grade. I have used plenty of wire wool, but Liberon certainly have the finest and softest grade which is ideal for all final finishing and applying wax coatings. I have connection to Liberon, just a user of lots of their products.

Interesting. I'm just a user of their products (perhaps should have made that clear), but haven't used enough different makers' wools to know that. Their fine stuff is certainly very soft.
 
Well of course I do have one, and use it. But I'm a bit more careful since I set our house on fire when stripping the barge boards. There was an old and very dry bird's nest that I hadn't noticed and etc.
 
Thanks all, tried a chemical stripper at the weekend with not too much success, will try a heat gun next week and update with results, just cant decide if I want a glossy finish or not, was thinking either International woodskin for the gloss or Treatex for the satin finish
 
Woodskin not a good choice for interior. For satin finish I have used Ronseal successfully over many years, but for best finish Epifanes rubbed over a sound base of traditional Epifanes is superb - if you don't mind the extra work.
 
I would like to brighten up the woodwork inside and wondering the best way, was thinking of sanding then either varnish or stain, or should i use paint stripper like nitromoors? any suggestions appreciated.
The current finish appears to be wood stain as opposed to varnish.

https://flic.kr/p/B6oy8H

I'm currently going through the same process as yourself and actually enjoying it.

Past experience with a heat gun revealed that I often scorched the woodwork and hard sanding
could easily penetrate thin veneer .

I found this cheapo varnish stripper very good :-

http://www.screwfix.com/p/no-nonsense-paint-varnish-stripper-500ml/17091

A light scrape after two doses is working well.

The pro's in the yard recommended International Goldspar Satin one part interior varnish . The bits that I have taken home look great after one thinned and three full coats.

Hope you enjoy your project.
 
Top