Woodworker's Journal fall-2009, страница 72
Refinishing When all else fails, refinish, but first make sure it's appropriate. If you suspect you have a valuable antique, have a conservator or appraiser look at it. Stripping very old pieces can detract substantially from their value. But painted yard-sale windfalls and battered, but sturdy, household pieces have a new life awaiting them once the stripper does its job. I find it easiest to remove many layers of old paint by using a combination of methods. Start with a heat gun to get the bulk of the gunk off quickly and easily, then graduate to a semi-paste paint remover to get the remainders out of the corners and moldings. For thin, single coats of paint or clear finishes, go straight to the chemical stripper. Either method is easier and safer than trying to sand off a finish, which will destroy patina, leave previously stained wood mottled and may cause you to abrade through thin veneers. One word of warning is in order, and that word is "lead." Until 1978, lead was commonly used in house paint. If you suspect the piece is old enough to have lead-based paint on it, DO NOT sand the finish, and DO NOT use a heat gun on it. Chemical stripping is safer, but make sure the If French polishing is new to you, help is on the way. Bulls Eye™ French Polish, a one-step clear wiping finish, will make the job much easier for a newbie. stripping gunk is allowed to harden and dry before disposing of it. For guidelines on removing lead paint safely, see HUD's Office of Lead Hazard Control (www.hud.gov/offices/lead). Sometimes, removing layers of old paint reveals beautiful wood underneath. Then again, you might find that your article of furniture is made from mismatched lumber never meant to sport a clear finish, and even staining won't hide its piebald appearance. Don't worry; you can always resort to repainting it, and this time around you can choose a color you really like. Web Addresses For Companies In This Issue Page Page Page Page
72 Reject, Restore or Refinish |
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