Expert: Eileen Cronk - 4/28/2008

Question
We just had a custom media cabinet made in walnut.  It has a clear coat finish and we are not happy with the clear coat because the colour doesnt go with the rest of our furniture. Please advise us on how we can remove the clearcoat so that we can stain the walnut a dark brown.  Thank you so much.  We are sick about the situation and hope we can find a resolution.

Answer
Hi Susan
So sorry to hear this.
I have had a bit of experience working with walnut either refinishing it or finishing new walnut.
I find the antique walnut is darker than the new walnut for various reasons but age is a factor I believe.
I often see new walnut that is actually quite light in color.
I suspect this could be what you have.
In either case, I apply a dark stain (Minwax Special Walnut) to it before a finish.
I suspect this was not done with your cabinet.
Now...you must remove the clearcoat..how unfortunate.
Is there any way you can find out what type of clearcoat was applied to this?
I am including the standard stripping instructions which hopefully will work for you but I suggest a small test to see if this will remove your clear coat.

MATERIAL LIST For the stripping stage.
1 gallon stripper
3 boxes of Bull Dog steel wool in medium grade.
One 3 inch oil based paint brush.
Rubber gloves (like you do dishes with), and a pair of cotton gloves inside the rubber ones.
People react differently to stripper. A lot of people feel heat through the rubber gloves, but I feel cold. Have no idea why.
An empty large coffee can. (for the stripper)
A couple of old tooth brushes.
Lots of old rags (I like t-shirts or cotton but for this first stage whatever you have)
Lots of newspaper to protect the garage floor
LOTS OF VENTILATION..A MUST
That's all you need to get started.
HERES WHAT YOU DO...
Work in sections. Perhaps one side of the unit at a time.
Brush on the stripper with the brush. Stripper will quit working if it dries, so keep it wet till the finish softens.
Then take a rag and wipe this mess off.
Then another coat of stripper, rag off again, then while the wood is still wet, take the steel wool and rub with the grain till the wood is nice and clean.
Use the toothbrush in crevices.
Thats all there is to it ...move to another section and continue.
No other prep is necessary...and DO NOT SAND
When the stripping is complete, stain with Minwax stain applied with a rag, then your clearcoat choice.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear.

Susan I suggest you get just a small can of stripper for the test.
If that fails, get back to me.
I don't want to overload you with info.
Kind Regards
Eileen