Removing paint from grain cells [Archive]

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Mustela

19th August 2012, 02:09 PM

I have an old English oak card table, finished with green paint that I want to re-finish. I have removed all the surface paint successfully with solvent based paint stripper BUT not the paint lodged in the grain cells. I then have applied a biodegradable water based paint stripper , waited until the remaining paint trapped in the grain cells was soft and then tried to scrub it out with no more success. Any suggestions?

soundman

23rd August 2012, 09:14 AM

there is a method detailed in Neil's, polishers handbook....cant remember the details, but you follow the solvent bassed paint stripper with...um bicarb or something from memory, this causes the combination to foam in the grain lifting the crap out of grain & texture.

The book is available from may Australian woodwork suppliers or direct from the owners of this bulliten board "u beaut polishes"...I am sure there will be a link top or bottom of the page.

Buy the book you will bless the day.

cheers

Antipodes

24th August 2012, 12:06 AM

I'm currently stripping back an Estapoled picture frame and facing a similar issue but have started using variously a steel brush and fine steel wool and this is getting most of it out. Worth at least trying gently in an out of the way place to see how it goes.

soundman

24th August 2012, 09:29 AM

remember the polishers handbook has the details on the procedure.

I seem to remember you need to get it just right.

cheers

Sandow

24th August 2012, 12:36 PM

That handbook is a brilliant piece of work imo, a must have for the workshop. Very informative and a bout of humour thrown in which helps the reading process.

soundman

25th August 2012, 09:59 AM

I simply can't disagree.

Neil has done a very good job on it.

I think you would have to go a very long way to find more usefull & reliable information, in a single book and at such a reasonable price AND in such a readable form

seriously more than half the questions on this section of the forum would be answered in Neil's book.

If ya havn't got a coppy, do ya'self a big favour.

No, I'm not on the payroll.

cheers

Mustela

26th August 2012, 04:52 PM

Thanks guys
Yes I do have Neil Ellis’s “A Polishers Handbook’. Yes I agree it’s a great book. No I can’t find the reference about lifting out the crap in grain cells. Anyone know the page number?