Expert: Eileen Cronk - 5/21/2009

Question
I have never refinished a piece of furniture before and just jumped right in with a palm sander and 100 grit paper to remove the varnish and stain. I am not even sure if I am sanding right. I have noticed that if I use the edge of the sander or corner the stain comes off swiftly but if I sand with the sander flat on the surface it doesn't remove the stain or maybe just not as swiftly. Can you give me some tips on how to sand my table so I don't completely ruin it.

Answer
Hi Erin
Nicetohearfromyou.
Here are the full and correct stripping instructions.
Get rid of the sander. As you guessed you could ruin the table.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRIPPING FURNITURE
The first thing you must do is assemble the material to do the job.
The stripper is the most important item.  
I am hoping you can get "CIRCA 1850" brand paint and varnish remover in your area.
Here is a link
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=1694&familyN...

MATERIAL LIST For the stripping stage.
1 gallon stripper (quart for small pieces).
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.
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.
Depending on the material you are removing, another coat of stripper is often needed but you will know this as you progress into the job.
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 3 or 4 coats of low lustre tung oil also applied with a rag or a clear coat of your choice. You may want a poly if its a high use table.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear.
Regards
Eileen



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