Stripping!

[Digit]

My wife wants me to remove the old Shellac finish from an Oak table top. Anyone got any dieas how to get the finish out of the pores?

Roy.

 

[Woodfinish Man]

If you've removed all you can using a methylene based stripper like Nitromors and you still feel there is shellac in the grain of the wood I think the only option left is to sand it out.

Hope this does the trick

Ian McAslan

 

[Digit]

Thanks Ian, but that is the one option I was hoping I wouldn't hear!

Roy.

 

[matt]

Do you need to get the finish out of the pores? Are you going to put a new finish on it? Will it notice?

I've never tried this on Oak but a cabinet scraper can be quite good at removing old hard finishes and it may grap it out of the pores too.

 

[Digit]

Yes Matt. I'd better explain. The wife acquired a gate leg table with the usual barley twist legs, all in Oak.
She found that the gate was a hindrance and she hates barley twist! Step forward Roy and makes a complete new undercarriage, again in Oak, now she wants the same light colour for the original top as the new undercarriage, so yes, I've got to get the pores clean. The wife prefers a wax finish on Oak.

Roy.

 

[matt]

Oh, I see. That's the point when I hand my wife the sander... And then have second thoughts - dealing with the left-over finish may be the lesser of all the potential evils.

 

[Digit]

I offered to make a new top after the wife offered to sand the existing one!

 

[maltrout512]

To get more of the shellac out of the pores is not easy but if you carry on using nitromors leave for 5 mins then use a fine brass brush with the grain. Don't rush it or you will have raised grain all over the shop. If you don't want to use brass brush then some coarse wire wool is a safer way still with the grain. Wash off using fine wire wool and meths. Leave to dry and with a rag with meths on, wipe a small area of the top, this will show you what the true colour of the wood will be like.

 

[Digit]

Thanks Mal, will give it try as soon as time permits.

Roy.

 

[Ironballs]

Did you not say oak? In which case I'd steer clear of the wire wool, you could get staining

 

[Digit]

I did indeed, so I'll be going the brass brush route, or rather the wife will! :lol:

Roy.

 

[houtslager]

once you "think"you have all the fp out I would advise putting the outside on a pair of trestles, with a rag wash the top with plenty of meths, whilst the top is still "WET "with the meths - set it alight !
This will pull all of the remaining fp out of the grain and will raise it a little too.

Wipe over again to check all fp is out of the grain, if you think not so - wash and burn again.

A light rub down with 180 / 220 grain paper will smooth the top ready for the new finish.

hth,

hs

 

[Digit]

Blimey! That's sounds a bit drastic! Can't wait to give it a try though!

Roy.

 

[maltrout512]

In case you have a problem the main number to ring is 999. I've almost heard it all now.

 

[Digit]

:lol: :lol:

Roy.

 

[big soft moose]

once you "think"you have all the fp out I would advise putting the outside on a pair of trestles, with a rag wash the top with plenty of meths, whilst the top is still "WET "with the meths - set it alight !
This will pull all of the remaining fp out of the grain and will raise it a little too.

Wipe over again to check all fp is out of the grain, if you think not so - wash and burn again.

A light rub down with 180 / 220 grain paper will smooth the top ready for the new finish.

hth,

hs

and if that doesnt work do the same thing with petrol - taking care to stand well back when it lights

on the upside it will get every last bit of shellac off - but on the downside it will also remove a large part of the wood - still the good news is that after this procedure the wife will be happy for you to make a new top (which would be definitely the easiest route imo)

 

[houtslager]

works well when some kind idiot has used chalk or simerler to create a limrd finish. Takes 2 or 3 goes but it removes the crap outta the grain. But for first timers it is a daunting idea to set fire to summint you have made/ restored.

Great blue flame effect as the meths catches.

hs

 

[johnnyb]

put nitromors on....leave for 15mins then jetwash or steam clean. use a small amount of ammonia in water to wash down with a brass brush then jetwash again.....leave to dry.

 

[Digit]

I've done the nitro bit, but it still leaves the stained filler in the pores.

Roy.