Cabinets, Furniture, Woodworks/bathroom cabinets

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Expert: - 9/23/2010


Question
hello-- ive been wanting to strip down my bathroom cabinets but i havent been able to find a product that works. ive tried citristrip and motsenbockers lift off. niehter worked.. can u suggest a stripper that would work.. thx

Answer
Hi Jen, you've undoubtedly run into a catalyzed finish, very tough and difficult to remove....are you sure you are letting the stripper have enough time  to work on the finish? I have used Citristrip on many finishes, and while it may take a while to work, it usually does the job and is much safer and less toxic that the Methylene Chloride strippers. You need to be applying it in one direction, (not painting back and forth), in as thick a coat as you can get, and then leave it to work for 30-45 minutes, coming back occasionally to recoat any areas that are looking dry.You can leave it on as long as you want without worrying about damaging the wood...even overnight...a Methylene Chloride stripper is the next option...these will strip almost anything but polyesters and epoxies....Ace Hardware's store "Extra Strength" brand Paste remover is a decent product, or Jasco, or any of the semi paste MC removers...just use these with caution, and ventilation, but not in moving air, as they will evaporate faster than Citristrip......if the finish is glossy, you can rough it up with some 80 grit sandpaper too...this will help the stripper penetrate. Post back if need be, the trick is to let the stripper do the work...but in some cases, it's a bit frustrating to get it done well....regards- Greg

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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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