Stripping Chairs...

[Tiffany]

I bought some chairs off Craig's list a few weeks ago that I want to refinish. They are nice, sturdy chairs, but the original finish was scratched and so the previous owners decided to spray paint them black and did a horrible job. So, I have black spray paint on top of I'm not sure what kind of finish. I got a small can of a stripper containing methylene chloride. I tried it on one of the chairs. It works well and takes off both finishes, especially on the seat of the chair where the chemical can sit directly on there for a while before I wipe it away, but it is a bit more tedious to do the back, etc. I can finish it this way, and probably will if that ends up being my only option, but I have heard that there were places where you used to be able to take furniture in and they would dip the entire thing into a huge vat of a strong stripping agent for a few minutes, and do the hard work for you! Are there still places where I can do something like this for a reasonable price, or have they all gone away in today's more environmentally concious era? Or any other suggestions about what to do with these chairs?

 

[CrealBilly]

you wanna borrow my stripper? ---> http://www.ncwoodworker.net/forums/f105/tool-envy-23212

:gar-La;

 

[mshel]

Most folks who have stripping vats don't like to strip painted pieces because it messes up their chemicals and at ~ $300 / 55 gal, they like it to last a long time. A lot depends on who you take it to. Some will do it no problem and others will do it when it is time for them to change out their chemicals. You might do a Google on the subject and look for someone in your area and give them a call. Otherwise, just keep using what you have. It will eventually come off. Make sure you wash it down good with lacquer thinner after you have it cleaned well. Lots of chemical strippers have wax in them and will leave residue on the furniture. That will give you fits when you go to put another finish on them.

Mike

 

[Travis Porter]

I know some of the state and federal facilities around have stripping vats, but I haven't used them. I have always resorted to the method you are using. Break out the picks, probes, toothbrushes, etc and have at it.

I also use saw dust to help soak up some of the stripper. I remember seeing that tip on I think it was the furniture guys on TLC way back when.

 

[newtonc]

Dip N Strips are still around...but from someone who used to professionally "refurbish" antiques,they are always costly and harmful.The dips will loosen the glue in the joints...whether it's glue or the older hyde glue,it will loosen up from that dip sooner than later.The traditional value was already lost once they spray painted them.So you don't have to worry about that,you can only improve them from here.Stripper is about all you can do.A heat gun might help with the paint,depends what kind of paint it is.Either way I'm afraid you are looking at a pretty big job.Good luck.

 

[froglips]

From recent experience, I can tell you some things not to do......

I tried the citrus stripper. It did an ok job, but was a nightmare to clean off. In the end, I think I did more environmental damage cleaning off the "green" stripper :-/

A thicker gel type stripper is good for vertical surfaces. Also line up some trash bags or wraps of some sort. The longer you can keep the stripper from drying out, the more effective it is. Be careful, as some strippers will dissovle plastic bags.

If you opt to strip, there an a fantastic video from Tauton Press on Refinishing Furniture with Bob Flexner. His book "Understanding Wood Finishing" also is very helpful.

Stripping is a lot of work, so be ready. If you can, do it in small sections. I learned the hard way what your day turns into if you coat the whole chair at once.

If you have access to wood shavings (planer, jointer, your friendly neighborhood turners), they make wonderful wipe down tools. A handful used as a rag is very effective.

Have on hand as many clever scraping tools as you can. Toothpics, bristle brushes, straws, putty knives and more.

Jim