Expert: Eileen Cronk - 12/14/2009

Question
Hi,my husband and i are stripping paint off our doors and have come across a huge problem. We have found a layer of varnish which is coming off with no problem BUT.....under that there is, what we think to be, a layer of very dark sealer, as the wood is oregan pine which is light wood we want to get the sealer off but dont know how. We have tried sanding but it is not working to well as there are a lot of high points in the wood which makes the sanding very difficult. Please can you advise.
Thanking you
linda  

Answer
Hi Linda
Nice to hear from you.
The dark sealer you refer to will be stain.
Unfortunately pine absorbs stain really deeply as its so soft.
You did not say what you are using as a stripper. Does it contain Methylene Chloride?
This type of stripper will remove stain the best but unfortunately it will not remove it all.
So try that first to see the result. Use a stiff bristle brush to work the stripper into the grooves after the waiting time (the can will say apply and tell you how long to wait).
After the wood dries you can evaluate the result. You may have to proceed to bleaching the wood to remove more color.
Let me know.
Regards
Eileen