Stripping a dark finish from wood - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Paul Stenning · 9th Mar 2007, 6:05 pm

kalee - what an excellent, detailed post, thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalee20

As well as paint stripper, it's used for decaffeinating coffee, and it strips skin from hands easily. It can also be absorbed into the body through the skin, and it is bad news for liver and kidneys.

That's enough to put me off decaf coffee....

Tim · 9th Mar 2007, 9:59 pm

Hi Kaylee
Similar to what used to be called 1.1.1 Trichloromethane?(or was it Ethane) which used to be the main ingredient in Tippex thinners. It too was a volatile solvent, and probably due to abuse( sniffing or some such nonscence) was banned by the "do gooders" some years ago. It was unsurpassed at removing filth from the works of tape recorders and such like.

Better stop now as I am seriously off topic...

Ian B · 10th Mar 2007, 9:44 am

Further back caustic soda was mentioned as a stripper. It's still readily available as a drain cleaner. Very effective at removing grease and stripping paint, preferably used as a hot solution. BUT it's unpleasant to use and it will darken the wood permanently. This is why stripped pine is the colour it is. The effect on oak is even more marked - so if you want light oak, stick to solvent based strippers.
Ian Blackbourn

9th Mar 2007, 9:59 pm	#22
Tim Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,310	Re: Stripping a dark finish from wood Hi Kaylee Similar to what used to be called 1.1.1 Trichloromethane?(or was it Ethane) which used to be the main ingredient in Tippex thinners. It too was a volatile solvent, and probably due to abuse( sniffing or some such nonscence) was banned by the "do gooders" some years ago. It was unsurpassed at removing filth from the works of tape recorders and such like. Better stop now as I am seriously off topic... __________________ "Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."

10th Mar 2007, 9:44 am	#23
Ian B Hexode Join Date: May 2006 Location: Arlesey, Bedfordshire, UK. Posts: 401	Re: Stripping a dark finish from wood Further back caustic soda was mentioned as a stripper. It's still readily available as a drain cleaner. Very effective at removing grease and stripping paint, preferably used as a hot solution. BUT it's unpleasant to use and it will darken the wood permanently. This is why stripped pine is the colour it is. The effect on oak is even more marked - so if you want light oak, stick to solvent based strippers. Ian Blackbourn