Expert: Eileen Cronk - 2/29/2008

Question
I bought a used entertainment center whose finish and stain had been scratched and faded.  I started to sand it off thinking that I would put a new stain on it, but it has two many grooves, nooks, and crannies and its become just two much work. Is there another way to get rid of the finish and stain so that I can restain and put a new finish on it so it looks just like new?  Thank you! Kyle

Answer
Hi Kyle
Nice to hear from you.
Yes there is a better way.
You must remove the finish with paint stripper if possible.
If you find that the finish won't budge, then its a lacquer finish (which I suspect it is) and you use lacquer thinner.
But try the stripper first as its easier than using thinner in my opinion.
It seems to me that older lacquer finishes come right off with paint stripper but new ones don't. I have no idea why that is..just my experience. Hopefully yours is an older finish.
Good luck with this.
Regards
Eileen