I used the exact same process. Stripper, plastic wrap and then it all stripped off, even those places where it was bubbling! Cirtristrip is thick so it will cling to vertical surfaces.
You wouldn't need to bleach it to a lighter color, but you could if you want a super light finish. The white/tan wash will penetrate the wood and lighten it up (as long as the finish is already removed), but the lighter the original wood, the lighter the wash will look. You can also just add a higher paint ratio to water, and this will also mask some of the original honey color of the wood and create a lighter wood. I personally only strip/sand and do not bleach when doing whitewash or tanwash.
I have furniture from my great grandparents (I'm 63) and they are DARK from years of wax maybe? My dad stripped one drawer and was surprised to find it was cherry wood! He stopped there. He's now passed and I have an old bedstead, a washstand and a ball and claw side table with glass balls. They all are almost black and dull with old finish. How can I get that off safely?
Wood stripper will take it off and down to natural wood. EZ Strip is a more environmentally friendly stripper. Citristrip which I use in the video will also work well!
i’ve had this same citrus stripper turn furniture gray after it sets on it very long. Then I have to use oxalic acid to bleach the wood back to its natural color.
Wow, that's not ideal. Has it always done this? I really had readers say they think the formula was changed in the last several years. Not sure if that's true of if the graying is related
Do you remove the hardware with nails like that piece on the front and how would one remove that before stripping? Also, I have a piece with magnets for the front doors. Do you recommend removing the magnets (screwed in)? Thanks!
I believe I didn't properly wash my oak table after stripping it, I still got big spots that look gray on the wood , they even stays after sanding with 80 grit on my orbital
Dark marks are usually caused by water damage, you can try using acid to remove or lighten them. It takes a lot sometimes to get them out. I've seen people use Barkeeper's Friend (oxalic acid) cleaner a bunch of times over spots to lighten them.
I've seen some pieces made with laminate with cardboard sandwiched in between. I haven't seen it under wood. Although mdf is often used in furniture, and although it's not cardboard, it sort of shreds away similar to cardboard. That might also be what you're seeing.
I haven't heard this before, but I also don't claim to be an experienced woodworker. I've had really great results with my.orbital sander on furniture, but I only use it with higher grits (after stripping) so it's not pulling off as much of the wood as lower grits would.
Thanks for letting me know. I've heard this too. I actually bought a new bottle a month ago and am planning to do a side by side with other brands. I'm interested to see what happens!
Plastic over the stripper…. 😮Gamechanger! Thank you so much for this tip!
Such an easy, straightforward video. Thank you!
Do you have a method on how to strip off the front area?
How do you get all of the finish off of the intricate woodwork bits?
I like to dip an old toothbrush in mineral spirits and use it to work out the stripper which also pulls out old finish!
Wait a min……..what about the front part where it’s bubbly n around the detail area?
I used the exact same process. Stripper, plastic wrap and then it all stripped off, even those places where it was bubbling! Cirtristrip is thick so it will cling to vertical surfaces.
Do you have to get off all the old honey oak color if you are going to white or tan wash it and then topcoat?
You wouldn't need to bleach it to a lighter color, but you could if you want a super light finish. The white/tan wash will penetrate the wood and lighten it up (as long as the finish is already removed), but the lighter the original wood, the lighter the wash will look. You can also just add a higher paint ratio to water, and this will also mask some of the original honey color of the wood and create a lighter wood. I personally only strip/sand and do not bleach when doing whitewash or tanwash.
I have furniture from my great grandparents (I'm 63) and they are DARK from years of wax maybe? My dad stripped one drawer and was surprised to find it was cherry wood! He stopped there. He's now passed and I have an old bedstead, a washstand and a ball and claw side table with glass balls. They all are almost black and dull with old finish. How can I get that off safely?
Wood stripper will take it off and down to natural wood. EZ Strip is a more environmentally friendly stripper. Citristrip which I use in the video will also work well!
Have fun on your project!
i’ve had this same citrus stripper turn furniture gray after it sets on it very long. Then I have to use oxalic acid to bleach the wood back to its natural color.
Wow, that's not ideal. Has it always done this? I really had readers say they think the formula was changed in the last several years. Not sure if that's true of if the graying is related
Can you use mineral spirits in place of the paint thinner to clean the rest of the old stain off?
Yes, mineral spirits will also remove the stripper residue left behind.
Do you remove the hardware with nails like that piece on the front and how would one remove that before stripping? Also, I have a piece with magnets for the front doors. Do you recommend removing the magnets (screwed in)? Thanks!
I believe I didn't properly wash my oak table after stripping it, I still got big spots that look gray on the wood , they even stays after sanding with 80 grit on my orbital
Dark marks are usually caused by water damage, you can try using acid to remove or lighten them. It takes a lot sometimes to get them out. I've seen people use Barkeeper's Friend (oxalic acid) cleaner a bunch of times over spots to lighten them.
Paint thinner has a ver strong odor. Any other options? Looks beautiful. Thank you for the video
I was told you could use equal parts vinegar and water
Ive been using a heat gun on my coffee table to remove paint. I discovered cardboard underneath? Is this strange?
I've seen some pieces made with laminate with cardboard sandwiched in between. I haven't seen it under wood. Although mdf is often used in furniture, and although it's not cardboard, it sort of shreds away similar to cardboard. That might also be what you're seeing.
I thought you weren't supposed to use orbital sanders on wood furniture because of the grain. It goes against the grain doesn't it?
I haven't heard this before, but I also don't claim to be an experienced woodworker. I've had really great results with my.orbital sander on furniture, but I only use it with higher grits (after stripping) so it's not pulling off as much of the wood as lower grits would.
actually, Cedar has a natural chemical in it that causes a finish to deteriorate like yours had in the beginning.
Oh, that makes sense! I didn't realize it could do that much damage to a finish!
They changed the formula and it is far less effective now. Just sayin'. Cheers!
Thanks for letting me know. I've heard this too. I actually bought a new bottle a month ago and am planning to do a side by side with other brands. I'm interested to see what happens!
@@RefreshLiving 🙂
Your tiny workspace made me claustrophobic.