Expert: Eileen Cronk - 11/7/2011

Question
I have a bedroom suite about 80+ years old.  it has an old desk hutch and make-up table that at one time was painted with a yellow vaneer and stain. I would like to remove this vaneer and restore it to its original color to match the remaining pieces.  Which is a dark cherry.  Is there a way to remove this and refinish the pieces.

Answer
Hi Jill
Nice to hear from you.
Yes there is a way to remove this finish and redo your pieces.
A bit time consuming but certainly not hard.
Here is the info you need to do your job.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR STRIPPING JILL'S 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
If you cannot get this brand, ask the clerk for a similar type stripper as they vary greatly.

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.
Large size 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 stain applied with a rag.
Jill you say the original color was dark cherry so look at the Minwax color samples for a color close to what you want.
After the stain dries,  then 3 or 4 coats of low lustre tung oil also applied with a rag.
Please let me know if anything is not 100% clear.
Good Luck Jill
Eileen