Expert: Eileen Cronk - 3/17/2010

Question
I recently purchased a Vilas maple bedroom suite from the 1970's. I am not a fan of the shiny finish even though it is in very good condition.  I would like to strip it and refinish it with tung oil. I have heard that the Vilas lacquer is difficult to remove.  Have you found this to be true?  What would you recommend? I have done lots of refinishing, but mostly oak and pine. It is a bigger project, so I would like to do it right from the start.    Also, I have always used circa 1850 tung oil, but I have more than half a gallon of Behr tung oil left by our kitchen cabinet maker. Should I use it?  Thanks from northern British Columbia.

Answer
Hi Coralee
Sorry for the delay in answering you.
The site has gone crazy and I only received this today.
You heard correctly.
This finish is extremely hard to remove.
Its also colored lacquer. That means the color is actually in the finish and when you do manage to remove it, you are left with wood thats extremely hard to stain.
But here is the complete info. Do a test by trying to remove the finish in a hidden spot. Then if sucessful, try staining the area.

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
When the stripping is complete, stain with Minwax oil stain applied with a rag, then 3 or 4 coats of low lustre tung oil also applied with a rag.
Coralee, if the Minwax stain is not to your liking, try a gel stain.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear.
Regards
Eileen