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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,023 Likes: 1824
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 14,023 Likes: 1824 |
I scrape off any finish. It isn't as difficult as it may sound and is a lot less messy than liquid strip products. Doesn't cost anything other than the sharp edge of a couple of common blade knives.
Won't hurt you like the chemicals unless you get careless.
Just a nice sharp regular edge to the blade and use it as a scraper. No need to turn the edge over and form a cabinet makers type finishing scraper though they can be used too in the process.
The common blade used carefully will curl the old finish right off and down to the wood smoothly. Then you can go further if you want to and remove some scratches and marks too.
Work from any direction.
Careful how you 'enter' the work so the blade doesn't leave a mark on the surface. You want to gradualy come down onto the surface and begin scraping the surface.
Using your thumb to back up the blade works well one handed as a gauge of sorts. Your thumb feels the surface before the blade hits it and allows a soft landing onto the surface.
Two hands on the blade, one on the tip, will allow good control that way when scraping in heavier cuts into the thicker orig finish.
The work goes quickly. Ready for a some sanding afterwards but very little generally.
Some of the orig finish may still be in the pores of the wood depending on how deep into the surface you go. But that'll help fill the grain for the next finish and will disappear especially w/ wet sanding (if you use that method).
Clean up is a broom and dustpan. How do you deal with that in the checkering? Recut it? I'll bet it's tough on checkering cutters. SRH
May God bless America and those who defend her.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,914 Likes: 218
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,914 Likes: 218 |
Recut ,,I always recut the checkering.
It doesn't take much to dull any of the checkering cutters unless they are carbide type.
Even those get dull after a time but they zip thru any of the stuff pretty well.
I'm usually not all that careful around the checkering when scraping and sanding. I go right over and onto the patterns knowing I'm going to recut them.
If you don't the finished wood can have a slightly different look right around the outside of the checkering border where you were 'xtra careful' when doing the prep.
If you have a tendency in backing off a bit & trying not to damage the checkering, you use lighter pressure in scraping and sanding. Just generally less of it too.
The wood color can end up being slightly different surrounding the checkering patterns.
Have at it, do the job, and recut the checkering to finish it off.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,468
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,468 |
I thought MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) had been banned as being a cancer causer? I don't know if it has been totally banned but it varies from state to state. The stuff legal in California is less effective.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,798 Likes: 675
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,798 Likes: 675 |
I thought MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) had been banned as being a cancer causer? Nope, it's still available in most states at Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc., and is still a component of PCV pipe cleaner, along with acetone and toluene. I wouldn't be surprised if it is somewhat carcinogenic, but I treat all organic solvents with respect by keeping them off my skin and not breathing the fumes. California may well be another story.
Voting for anti-gun Democrats is dumber than giving treats to a dog that shits on a Persian Rug
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 19
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,883 Likes: 19 |
I thought MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) had been banned as being a cancer causer? I know many strippers of the past contained methylene Chloride. Not much chance that stuff is still in strippers.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,798 Likes: 675
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,798 Likes: 675 |
I thought MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) had been banned as being a cancer causer? I know many strippers of the past contained methylene Chloride. Not much chance that stuff is still in strippers. That is an incorrect assumption. And it is why Ted and I recommended such strippers for these tough as nails finishes. It is both effective and available. Stock up while you still can buy it. https://cen.acs.org/safety/consumer-safety/Replacing-methylene-chloride-paint-strippers/96/i24 A ban was proposed by EPA in 2017, but it has not been implemented nationwide. Methylene chloride has also been widely used as a solvent and propellant in many spray paints. It was even used in many hair sprays and antiperspirants. I never suggested it was the safest thing to use, but it is very effective. And it doesn't take a lot of effort to keep it out of your eyes, lungs, and skin. It will even get the old finish out of checkering. A lot of good products end up getting banned because people use them carelessly and incorrectly. About 20 years ago, when I was repairing high speed litho presses, I saw printers using a blend of MEK, acetone, and toluene to wash inks and basecoats off their skin virtually everyday. I warned them about it and told them the storeroom had rubber gloves to avoid exposure and potential cancers and liver damage, but most of them ignored my advice. I wonder how many of them won't get the chance to enjoy spending their 401-K and pensions.
Voting for anti-gun Democrats is dumber than giving treats to a dog that shits on a Persian Rug
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,893 Likes: 651
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,893 Likes: 651 |
I hate those two part epoxy type finishes. In my dream I use a belt sander to remove them. In the real world I use a chemical stripper, often trying more than one type to get good results. I know others have good luck scraping the old finish off but that takes a lot of time to do it well. I just apply a stripper and let it sit. Even if it takes multiple applications Im happy to let chemistry to most of the work.
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