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Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/Removing the finish from a 100 year old door.

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Expert: - 2/10/2009


Question

Front door closeup
Hello, Our wooden front door is 100 years old.  The finish on the outside is in very good condition but the inside needs to be refinished. In many places the finish 'looks' like it got wet some time in the past and reformed into dark bubbles(see the photos).  I have heard of Formby's Conditioning Furniture Refinisher used for varnish, lacquer and shellac.  I'm assuming that this door has one of those finishes because of its age.  What do you think of this product and do you have any better suggestions?
Thanks for your help!!


Answer
Hi Scott, that looks like old Varnish that has reticulated from whatever it was put over. I think you'll need something heavier duty than the Formby's product. I would suggest a semi paste Methylene Chloride stripper. I think you're going to find that this will be a pretty tough job, and the finish will be a sticky gummy mess to remove, but perseverance and a good stripper should get the job done. Follow all directions and precautions on the product, and let the stripper do the bulk of the work. Arm yourself with lots of #3 and #2 steel wool and a taping knife to scrape off the softened finish....post back if need be, I'll be here- regards- Greg
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThanks for the tips!! I will give it a go. Thanks again for your time!


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Greg Scholl

Expertise

Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.

Experience

Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.

Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")

Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.

Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.

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