Quote:
Originally Posted by PsychMan
My concerns about a refinish would be the veneer looking very thin, id worry about sanding, can chemical stripping be used? I assume you would need to get back to bare wood?
Ive never done any refinishing and might not want to learn on such a nice and rare piece, so perhaps Ill work to improve this cabinet for now.
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Yes, with very thin veneer you need the minimal possible sanding, and paper on a block probably no coarser than 600 grade. Mostly,never apply the paper/sanding with finger pressure, its too uneven, it needs to be wrapped on a block with a flat surface.
The existing lacquer/varnish, whatever it is can be removed first with paint stripper, but it needs to be a very benign form of it like citristrip:
Directions for use
First Use:
1. Shake well and pour into metal container.
2. Brush a thick coat onto the surface.
3. Allow to penetrate for 20-30 minutes or longer. Citristrip stays active up to 24 hours.
4. When coating has lifted remove with scraper.
5. Wipe surface clean with Citristrip Paint Remover Wash from the Flood Company.
6. TIP: A scrubing pad with Paint Remover Wash will remove paint residue from corners and hard to get places. Outdoors Citristrip treated areas can be cleaned with water.
7. Wipe with clean cloth and allow to dry completely before painting.
NOTE: On surfaces with many layers, a thicker coat or a second application may be required.
* Citristrip is distributed under license from WM Barr and Co Inc, U.S.A
A similar product should be in the UK.
For re-coating Satin polyurethane spray will give a tough chemical and water resistant coat that protects the wood well and is easy to apply, it may not be original but it looks good and is very long lasting, if you don't want to go down the french polish or linseed oil route.
This radio was stripped with citristrip and refinished with polyurethane:
http://worldphaco.com/uploads/THE_GREBE_MU-1.pdf
same with the faceplate of this Andrea TV, that is veneer coated plywood:
http://worldphaco.com/uploads/THE_ME...DREA_KTE-5.pdf
If you look at the end of this article, this cabinet was re-coated with multiple layers of gloss polyurethane, it requires sanding with very fine paper between coats:
http://worldphaco.com/uploads/621TSARTICLE.pdf