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16th Oct 2022, 6:18 pm | #1 |
Pentode
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 116
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Stripping glossy style lacquer (2k / poly?) - success !!
Hello all
During the restoration of a Kolster Brandes KV002 (VC2 chassis based) dual standard TV set, I decided to tidy up the cabinet (scratches / dents / missing veneer) and set about trying various chemical stripping agents for the thick high-gloss lacquer. This stuff appears to be some kind of 2-pack polyester as the smell when sanded reminds me of the time when as a student I made an art installation from 60s fibreglass shop-floor mannequins and when sawed up they gave this same distinctive smell. Having read that this coating is pretty much impossible to remove with standard (i.e. commercially available) chemicals such as acetone, thinners (toluene/xylene), etc etc I was resigned to either doing an over-coat job (as I had done on another KB set) or lots of sanding. However, when I was at Toolstation for unrelated supplies I thought I would check out what sort of paint strippers they offered and was recommended 'Paint Panther' by the sales assistant. It was quite expensive but he said it was highly recommended and 'takes off almost anything'. We checked the tin for any mention of polyester and it was not listed but on his word I paid the money and took it home. This is a gel-like formulation similar to many and had a PVC solvent type odour (that will be the MEK then). I applied a good slathering to the top of the woodwork (having isolated just the shell, of course) and left it overnight. The next day I had a pleasant surprise, and as you can see the polyester has bubbled up and turned into 'platelets' which were easily skimmed off using a scraper, leaving the bare wood underneath. So, not so rinky-dink Paint Panther comes up trumps! |
16th Oct 2022, 6:23 pm | #2 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 8,834
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Re: Stripping glossy style lacquer (2k / poly?) - success !!
That's useful to know given that most paint strippers have been dumbed down in recent years for safety reasons. Which begs the question, how does Paint Panther work so well if it doesn't contain all those (very useful) dangerous chemicals?
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A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever.. |
16th Oct 2022, 6:26 pm | #3 |
Octode
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Yorkshire, England.
Posts: 1,303
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Re: Stripping glossy style lacquer (2k / poly?) - success !!
At last! That's exactly what original Nitromors used to do, then the formula was made safer, ie not as good.
Think I'll get some before it gets "improved". Thanks.
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16th Oct 2022, 6:29 pm | #4 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 14,007
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Re: Stripping glossy style lacquer (2k / poly?) - success !!
That is good to hear about,, I have a steel case from a 1960s radio that needs stripping and I have been worrying about what will do the job now that the classic strippers' chemistry is no longer available to normal people.
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I'm the Operator of my Pocket Calculator. -Kraftwerk. |
16th Oct 2022, 6:49 pm | #5 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 4,935
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Re: Stripping glossy style lacquer (2k / poly?) - success !!
Google finds the SDS; it's actually not got much MEK in it (5-10%). It's got something called 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol in it, for which the exposure limits are definitely on the low side, so plenty of fresh air advisable.
B
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Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch. |
16th Oct 2022, 8:11 pm | #6 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Seaford, East Sussex, UK.
Posts: 5,997
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Re: Stripping glossy style lacquer (2k / poly?) - success !!
Using a scraper would be the chemical and sticky mess free alternative. Scrapers are remarkably easy to use on flat surface like a TV cabinet and do not damage wood/veneer.
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16th Oct 2022, 9:24 pm | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oxfordshire, UK.
Posts: 4,935
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Re: Stripping glossy style lacquer (2k / poly?) - success !!
I find that the Wickes' paint and varnish remover (another gloopy paste) seems to work on many coatings; not very fast, but seems to be a very safe product.
B
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Saturn V had 6 million pounds of fuel. It would take thirty thousand strong men to lift it an inch. |
17th Oct 2022, 8:49 am | #8 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK.
Posts: 8,834
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Re: Stripping glossy style lacquer (2k / poly?) - success !!
Doesn't work well on all finishes, I've been there! Also, a Skarsten scraper can damage the wood if not used properly, there is a bit of a knack to it.
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A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever.. |
17th Oct 2022, 9:14 am | #9 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 5,766
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Re: Stripping glossy style lacquer (2k / poly?) - success !!
Skarsten scrapers shouldn’t go anywhere near a radio cabinet - they’re for stripping paint.
The only scrapers that are safe to use are cabinet scrapers. EG: https://www.axminstertools.com/verit...8&glCountry=GB Cheaper ones are available singly from other sources. Lots of YouTube videos on the correct use of scrapers in cabinet-making and how to keep them sharp.
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David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339. |
22nd Oct 2022, 6:19 pm | #10 | |
Dekatron
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Southport Lancashire, UK.
Posts: 3,236
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Re: Stripping glossy style lacquer (2k / poly?) - success !!
Quote:
I remember the woodwork teacher at school showing us how to use a scraper but that was 50 years ago!
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Paul |
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27th Oct 2022, 7:24 am | #11 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 3,496
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Re: Stripping glossy style lacquer (2k / poly?) - success !!
That’s a good result !!
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Al |