Expert: Eileen Cronk - 11/5/2007

Question
I am refinishing solid wood (pecan) chairs and would like step by step (yes, I am a beginner) on how to sand or strip existing finish (they are not painted, just have a stain and what I think is a poly top coat.  I don't know, it's just shiny), then restain (to a darker color).  

Thanks

Answer
Hi Petra
Nice to hear from you.
Welcome beginner.
Here are my finishing instructions.
This will be a fairly big job if there are 6 chairs, but certainly do-able if you perservere.
The first thing you must do is assemble the material to do the job.
The stripper is the most important item.
The stripper I use is my Home Hardware house brand, but I think that you would not have Home Hardware if you are in the states.
I am hoping you could have CIRCA brand paint and varnish remover there.

MATERIAL LIST For the stripping stage.
1 gallon stripper
6 boxes of Bull Dog steel wool in medium grade.
One 3 inch oil based paint brush.
Rubber gloves (like you do dishes with)
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
That's all you need to get started…not much is it?
The stripper will be the most expensive item on the list..In Canada it runs around $25.00 a gallon. The stain and finish will only be around $20.00
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.
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 stain applied with a rag, then 3 coats of low lustre tung oil also applied with a rag.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear.
Also be aware that I am going on your assumption of "I think its poly".
This could be a lacquer finish.
Its my experience that stripper will remove most lacquer, but I have had cases where this is not true.
It seems the newer lacquers do not respond to stripper.
So before buying a gallon of stripper, get a small can and do a test area.
Then get back to me if it fails, or anything is not clear.
Regards
Eileen