How to remove unwanted layers (upon layers) of wood stain?
Question:So i have this really old chest.not huge but not tiny
anyways who ever owned it last didn't stain it...they layered on thick coats of stain as if it were paint!
i'm trying to remove it with out damaging the wood and a sander isn't really helping
what can i do?
(the stain is atleast 5 years old)
Answers:
If their are layers, then it is most likely a colored varnish on it .Who ever invented colored varnish should have his head dunked in it !! It never looks right and is a mess to remove.I would suggest you have a professional refinisher remove it. But if you are up to a challenge, here are some directions. Purchase a NON FLAMMABLE paste type stripper Protective gloves made for use when using chemicals.Eye goggles are a must. You will also need a natural bristle paint brush(the chemicals will disolve other type brushes) some old rags, #3 grade steel wool, metal scraper.
Work in a well ventilated area or outdoors.Do not work in direct sun. Cover work area with newspapers,do small areas at a time.Apply with brush,wait till it bubbles or liquify.Scrape off in the direction of the grain.Apply stripper again,wait,wipe off with the steel wool following the direction of grain.Finish by wiping again with the steel wool, followed by wiping with a rag dipped in mineral spirits. Let dry over nite, before you stain and varnish.You should need very little sanding, if any as I have found that the steel wool acts as a sander. Good Luck
sander or sandpaper would be the best advice but you could try paint remover and this may burn it off try on a bit that you cant see first.x
Go to a lower grit of sandpaper then work your way back up to smooth it out. The lower the number the rougher it is.
Are you sure it's just stain? If it is thick it sounds like it has sealers and laquers on it too. If that is the case you will have to use laquer thinner to wash the old laquer and sealer off then sand it. Stain doesn't supply a thickness because it sinks down in the wood. Use lots of ventilation.
Use Nitromor.Any DIY store.Needs to be used with care.Protective Wear,gloves.
use "nitro mors" think thats how you spell it its a paint and varnish stripper, coat the chest and leave for 10/15 minutes, the stain will start to bubble as the stripper begins its magic, then use a scraper to take the layers off, this will take lots of coats but is fairly effortless just time consuming, when almost back to the original wood then sand for a nice smooth finish.
have you tried a wood stain remover or varnish remover?you should be able to get it in any good hardware or diy store.its very strong you paint it on leave for a while and you'll see it bubbling off,then you scrap it off and sand down the timber it is now ready to be stained or varnished how you want.don't know where you are but here in ireland the stain remover is called nitramors.be carefull not to let it splash on your skin it stings like hell.
probably what they used was a varnish stain which is nothing more than a tinted varnish.
I would use a wood stripper and get it off and then refinish it if it is all made of wood, or if it has a fabric on it, strip what wood is there and make it a lighter color which would be cool.
Try using Nitromorse, it's fabulous stuff, but does take some doing. Apply it with a brush or a cloth and leave for a while, you'll see it lift a layer or two, you can either scrape it off or use wire wool to scrub it away. It really is the best way if you don't want to use a sander or a hot air stripper but it does take time and effort. good luck.
I am in the process of refinishing my stairs they had varnish and stain, I used a heat gun it did a pretty good job, just don't hold on one spot to long it may scorch the wood, and just scrape, then sand lightly.
Nitromors should do it, but make sure you've plenty of ventilation, wear rubber gloves. It's evil stuff. Personally I use eye protection too, I'd hate for some of THAT to be flicked into my eyes!
If it is really stain it will have been absorbed into the wood and no amount of paint stripper Will help, sanding down will work but a lot depends how deep the satin has gone into the wood, and this could be time consuming and hard work. Try some bleach on part of the wood that won't be seen as a test.
More Related Questions & Answers...