Expert: Eileen Cronk - 8/24/2008

Question
Hi, I bought some Formbys conditioning refinisher and am trying to take the old varnish off a Singer machine cabinet from 1915. The can says to use the formby steel wool pad or finish remover pad. What do you think i can use without having to by the brand name? I don't know if they are even available at the paint shop that I use. I tried a regular steel wool but it gets gummed up in a matter of seconds as does a regular kitchen sponge. Do you think 1 16  oz can(473ml) is enough to do the entire cabinet? What do you suggest that I use for a finish when I am done? Thank you very much.PS for some reason I can't get on the Formbys website. Cathy

Answer
Hi Cathy
Nice to hear from you.
First off Cathy you are using the wrong product to remove varnish.
This product only softens a finish to re-amalgamate it.
No wonder your pad is gumming up.
So you need a paint and varnish remover like this for the job.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=1694&familyN...

I have done a number of these lovely old cabinets over the years and you cannot go wrong applying a coat of Minwax stain with a rag. Minwax Special Walnut if the wood is dark (likely is).
Then several coats of low luster tung oil applied with a rag.
At one time Formbys products were readily available in Canada but no more.
I hear through the grapevine that they have cut some of the products too.
Perhaps the site is down or no longer exists.
Great project.
Regards
Eileen