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Question
I have an older rifle that appears to have been refinished with lacquer or varnish, aside from sanding the finished product, is there something I can use to remove the coat of finish first ?
Hi Alan, sure, you can use a chemical stripper to remove the finish if that's what you want to do....or if the finish is in good shape, and you just want to clean and renew it,you can wet sand the stock with 4-600 grit slilcon carbide (black) sand paper using Tru-oil or WaterLox oil finish as a sanding liquid...that way you won't lose all the patina and open the pores up too much....but if you want to strip it and start over, a Varnish remover is the way to go.Hope that helps- Post back if need be- Greg
Hi Alan, it sounds like I would strip it then, for sure.Any good hardware store will have a few options for you, I use Citristrip almost exclusively now, as it's much safer than Methylene chloride strippers, but they still are the best and most thorough, just read and follow the directions and protect yourself...best of luck- Greg
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| Comment | Thank you very much, I think I'll try denatured alcohol first, or paint thinner with rags and steel wool. The finish on the gun is all yellowed and cracked, so I'm uncertain that wet sanding with Truoil would do me any good. Thanks again ! If I run into problems, I'll let you know. Al Hager | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Greg Scholl
Expertise
Questions on Woodworking, wood finishing and refinishing of all kinds, repairing furniture and wooden objects, Architectural details, Woodturning, carving, tool usage, product usage, some chemistry as it applies to woodworking and related interests,cabinet making and furniture construction/design, etc. I have experience with all manners of colorants, finishes, paints, stains, dyes, glazes, and coatings, wood species recognition and usage,tool recommendations, blade types and recommendation,techniques and methods for many Woodworking related issues, etc.
Experience
Fine furniture restorer and cabinet maker for over 30 years,serving high end Antique dealers, Interior designers, Collectors in the CT area. Consulting for area Painting/Decorating and Building contractors on non painting issues..(staining, wood prep.,clear finishing, floor restoration and architectural detail restoration and repair, etc.) Sold, built, serviced, setup Home, Industrial, and Commercial stationary woodworking tools for a major tool retailer in CT. for three years, sold hand and power tools , provided knowledge, parts replacement, service, and on site service, Trade show Demo, and training as well.
Publications
Published in Fine Woodworking Magazine (12/97), included on Fine Woodworkings first "Best of Fine Woodworking" CD-ROM (2002) ...("27 year compilation of expert know-how")
Education/Credentials
Art School at Silvermine Guild in Norwalk, CT., 9 year apprenticeship in a European run Cabinet and Restoration shop in CT., various classes on subjects having to do with the field. Seminars from major Tool manufacturers, Skil/Bosch, Delta, Powermatic, Ritter, Porter cable, Milwaukee, Dewalt/B&Decker, Performax.
Past/Present Clients
Many varied clients including work on Martha Stewarts' Westport, CT. show house, many fine Antique dealers and private collectors in and around Fairfield County and in Woodbury, CT. (the Antiques capital of CT.), Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Wilton Historical Society.
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