Replies

1. 
   UncleDunc | Mar 11, 2005 02:23pm | #1

   In what sense is baking soda not a chemical?

2. 
   Gretchen | Mar 11, 2005 04:37pm | #2

   What is it? How is it used?  Varnish is not that hard to remove, even with the so called "green" strippers.

   Gretchen
1. 
   achome | Mar 11, 2005 04:45pm | #3

   Hi Gretchen-

   You're effectively using baking soda in a sandblaster instead of sand, so maybe it's not as damaging as sand would be.  I read about it in one of the woodworking magazines.  The unit hooks up to a compressor.  I'm just looking for a way to strip varnish that doesn't use sloppy paint strippers.  I'm open to suggestions.  I have alot of 70's era simple (but strong) maple furniture that I want to clean up and spray a new coat onto.

1. 
   Tao | Mar 11, 2005 06:32pm | #4

   I think you'll find that any abrasive that is hard enough to remove cured finish will remove some wood also, especially early wood, resulting in a very uneven surface that will require lots of sanding.  Your 70's furniture is most likely finished with lacquer and should be a lot easier to strip with "chemicals" than to abrasive blast.

   Michael R