Expert: Eileen Cronk - 3/8/2010

Question
QUESTION: I recently rescued an old maple china hutch from a family member.  Unfortunately,  23 household cats had their way with the lower section of the piece.  Yep, cat urine.  It's not clawed or scratched, just the other.  Figuring that I had nothing to lose - it was too bad to take in the house as it was, I took it out outside on a mild, sunny day.  Then I took off all the hardware and washed it down with a brew we mix up and use on our labs when they try to make friends with skunks.  Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, lemon scented Joy dishwashing liquid (it has to be Joy or it doesn't work-really)and a little water.  Then rinsed it, dried it and let it sit in the sun and breeze.  

So now it smells o.k.!  Amazing.  But I want to refinish it.  I need advise. I don't want to ruin it with sanding marks and I want to use the right type of stripper.  The piece is at least 45 years old.

Any info you can share is greatly appreciated.  Thank you so much!

ANSWER: Hi Maggie
Nice to hear from you.
I will keep your secret formula recipe in case I ever need it in the future LOL.
I'll pass it on with your permission as well.
First off your 45 year old maple hutch will have a colored lacquer finish on it most likely.
A picture would help with that.
After this colored lacquer finish is removed (with great difficulty), you are left with wood that does not absorb stain well.
So just be aware of these things.
As you already know (good for you), sanding is not a good thing. Especially on maple.
Here is the info for stripping.

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
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
Your hutch is ready for stain and finish.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear.
Best of Luck
Eileen



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

QUESTION: Do you have any suggestions for what type of finish to use one it once it's stripped and clean?  Colored laquer?
Thanks so much.
Best regards
Maggie

Answer
Hi again Maggie
For a finish on your hutch I personally would apply about 4 coats of tung oil.
It looks beautiful, especially on maple.
Use the low or satin sheen tung oil.
Circa also makes a tung oil which I use exclusively.
Tung oil is a goof proof finish and is simply applied with a rag. So easy.
Unfortunately a colored lacquer finish is not possible for us do-it-yourselfers to apply. Its pro's work done in a shop.
Before the oil you will want to apply a stain.
I mentioned that maple does not absorb stain well but first try some Minwax oil based stain. This is also applied with a rag. One coat. Do a little test to see how it absorbs.
If its not to your liking seek out what is called Gel stain.
Minwax makes one.
And please get back to me if you have difficulty.
Regards
Eileen