Expert: Eileen Cronk - 4/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I am refinishing an mahogany chippendale dining set. I am using chemical strippers. These remove the top layers- however there is a white residue (like primer) that remains. I have tried many strippers withour success. It can be sanded off but very hard due to the design. Please help!!

ANSWER: Hi Judy
I need a bit more info here.
Is this the original finish you are trying to remove?
How old is the set?
Did you use am MC stripper?
Look on the can. See if it says "contains Methylene Chloride".
Are you certain this is mahogany and not one of those false grain finishes?
Please post back
Eileen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I just bought the set- I was told it was an antique. The wood is definetely solid mohogany. I think it was the orginal finish- it was very thick- took 2 -3 application of chemical stripper to take off the top coat and stain. However- there is this white residue remaining- looks like a primer. I tried Marine stripper with Methylene Chloride. It does sand off- but a lot of work. Thanks for your help. Judy

Answer
Hi again Judy
Thanks for this additional info although I'm still stumped LOL.
This is not by any chance an original painted finish is it?
Although on  solid mahogany I doubt it.
Judy I have stripped a whole lot of mahogany in my time and never ran into such a dilemma.
A marine MC stripper should have absolutely no trouble getting the original finish off antique mahogany.
Just confirm for me that this was not paint but a clear finish of some kind that showed the wood.
If you tell me it was not paint then I go back to asking you "Are you certain this is mahogany and not one of those false grain finishes?".
These finishes can be done so well they look like wood grain.
They also strip exactly as you describe when you say "it was very thick- took 2 -3 application of chemical stripper to take off the top coat and stain. However- there is this white residue remaining- looks like a primer."
Often false grain furniture is coated with a gesso like paint which looks similar to what you describe as "primer".
Often even an MC stripper will not remove this material but it will sand off also as you describe "with a lot of work".
One other point I'll make. I have never seen false graining done over solid mahogany.
The plot thickens LOL.
Get back to me
Eileen