Paint Stripper?

[JoeyGee]

I have inherited a solid oak desk from my parents. My mom painted it an "antique" green paint ~30 years ago. What is the best method to strip the paint off so I can sand and refinish? I have seen that paint stripper infomercial/QVC ad and it looks good (non-toxic) but it also looks like they have just applied paint the day before on a piece of wood with a good layer of poly on it, and of course it falls right off.

[wardprobst]

There are a wide variety of strippers available- it pretty much shakes out to compromises of toxicity, cost and effectiveness. I'd recommend picking up Bob Flexner's Understanding Wood Finishing or checking it out of the library. It has really good information on the trade offs and will give you all kinds of information on what finish you might want and how to apply it.
DP

[cabinetman]

I'm partial to Citristrip, a non MC based stripper, that can be used indoors, smells like oranges, and cleans up with water. I try to stay away from the toxic stuff. Check it out: http://www.citristrip.com/products.htm



A THING OF BEAUTY IS A JOY FOREVER - John Keats

[MilDoc]

The safest stripper on the market is "Safest Stripper" by 3M, but also the slowest. May take 24 hours to work. It will actually stay wet that long. Doesn't work quite as well on lacquer or shellac, but works well on paint and any oil-based finish.

If that doesn't work, then toxic, requires ventilation and gloves and safety, methylene chloride strippers never seem to fail.

Since you're stripping oak you may find paint still present in the open pores (depending on how it was originally finished before painted). If so, reapply the stripper, let it sit keeping it wet, then scrub with a stiff natural-bristle brush. (Synthetic bristles might melt in the stripper!) Then scrub with lacquer thinner and a brush to try to dislodge any paint left. If that doesn't work, pick a color and repaint!

[Sid]

Soy Gel

I like Soy Gel from Franmar Chemical. Made 100% from soy beans, it's very effective on paints and varnishes, almost odorless, and nontoxic. The product data sheet says "May be harmful if swallowed in large amounts."

http://www.franmar.com/product_info....products_id=34

They also have a mastic remover that I've used successfully.

Sid

[scorrpio]

I am the impatient kind. Currently in the process of sripping windows in one of the rooms for a refinish - using just regular KleenStrip gel from HD. Nasty stuff but it WORKS. For kicks, I sanded in a couple places - I counted 8 layers of different color paints, oldest must be ~25 years old. Using proper mask, goggles, heavy stripping gloves is a must. Brushed on a layer of gel - it is sticky so it clings even to 'upside down' surfaces, just be sure to put something underneath for the drip. 15 minutes later, it peels like a banana, leaving behind clean wood. Then, better keep windows open for a couple hours to ventilate the place.

[Curly Qsawn]

Soy Gel

I've heard lots of good reviews on Soy Gel & there is also another brand too. Sid, have you used it on brick? I need to get after some paint spatters that are years old and looking for a non-toxic that will work.