AboutEileen Cronk Expertise Hi..I can answer most questions about the repairing,stripping and refinishing of all your old furniture and wood items(the things we call antiques)I can give advice about what to buy/avoid at auctions/flea markets. I do not give appraisals on antiques.
Experience I have been refinishing antiques for the past 30yrs. While I have taken several courses over the years,I have found that "hands on" learning is the best teacher. Perhaps I can help you avoid some of the mistakes I made while learning.
Question I am trying to refinish my woodwork (door casings, window casings ect.)The problem is the house was built in 1947, my husband THINKS it's hemlock. It has been stained or varnished or whatever maybe shellacked (don't know if I spelled that right!)It has bubbles in it, it is a darker color wood. I am trying to sand it down to re-stain it and it keeps getting gummy! It's like the sap is coming out of the wood.What can I do? I really wanted to keep the original woodwork.
Answer Hi Teddi
Nice to hear from you.
I am going to suggest the finish you are trying to get off is varnish. It was common to use what I call "black varnish" (I know thats not the real name but thats what I call it LOL) on woodwork in homes built back then. And it will get this gummy thing happening as you describe.
I will also suggest that it will not be hemlock wood work.
We cut a lot of hemlock around my area and the only thing its used for is mangers and stalls in barns. Its really not a nice wood as it cracks and splinters.
Teddi you say you are trying to refinish this wood. Do you want to keep it natural wood?
If you do, you need to strip the finish off with paint stripper.
This varnish I refer to is not only miserable stuff to sand (as you are finding out), its also miserable stuff to remove with paint stripper. Several applications are always needed and its a gooey mess.
If you are happy with just painting the wood, then all I would do is scrub it with a TSP solution and paint it.
Any imperfections (the bubbles)will not be noticed after the furniture is back in place and the curtains hung.
Great question
Regards
Eileen
