Replies

1. 
   BG | May 06, 2003 02:20am | #1

   Lora,

   If the finish looks like an alligators back....you might want to familiarize yourself with some of Fromby's solutions for that kinda issue.  Stripping and sanding may not be necessary.  good luck

1. 
   Lora | May 06, 2003 03:54am | #2

   Thanks BG, at the risk of looking uncultured here (first day on this site) what's a Fromby?  :) 

1. 
   BG | May 06, 2003 04:02am | #3

   Lora,

   I'm sorry, Fromby's is a company that sells refinishing products usually in hardware stores.  There are many competitors to Fromby but they are the only ones that come to mind that can help you diagnos and work up a total solution to your issues.  (I hope I'm spelling it correctly)

   Edited 5/5/2003 9:03:56 PM ET by BG

2. 
   rslatm | May 06, 2003 04:16am | #5

   He means Formby's. By the way you should try Breaktime under Fine Homebuilding for this type of question. Knots is dedicated to furniture making not house repairs.

1. 
   mrles | May 06, 2003 05:31am | #6

   Knots is dedicated to furniture making not house repairs. (you said)

   Since when?

   This is a lot better topic than how many bombs we dropped on Iraq.

   Gods Peace

   les

2. 
   jgaiennie | May 06, 2003 04:15am | #4

   Lora,

   What's the look you're going for?  Is the crackled stuff paint or like maybe an old schelac?  (sp?).  If it's schelac, alchohol will reconstitute it - soften it and allow you to remove the majority of it, leaving a lighter film as a thinner, smoothed out, and more desirable remnate.   Apply with four ought steel wool, discarding the steel wool as it gets clogged up with the removed residue.  If it's paint, you'll have to strip it with paint remover and a scraper.

   Formby's is expensive.  Like $30.00 per quart if I remember right.  My experience is that you can get the same end result using either denatured alchohol or laquer thinner, depending on the product that's on the window sill.  Try alchohol first.  If it cuts the stuff, you'll find it avail for lots less than Formby's.

   jdg

3. 
   mrles | May 06, 2003 05:54am | #7

   Lora

   JDG is right Formby's is expensive, 20 years ago I refinished a dining table top and spent $50. doing it. There is a good chance it is varnish you are working with. Talk to the man at the paint store tell him what you are doing. Ventilate the area you are going to be working in real good use a fan if you can. Get some good gloves that will not melt in whatever you are using to soften the finish. Use 0000 steel wool or the finest grade you can get. Pour your solution in a pan scrub with the steel wool and rinse it often. When the steel wool wears out or fills up with gunk discard. Test on an area not too noticeable first. Wear some safety glasses, no reason to take chances.

   Welcome to the forum!

   Gods Peace

   les

1. 
   Lora | May 06, 2003 06:50am | #8

   Thank you all, that is great advice!  Les's final post sounds similar to what my brother in law suggested but he said to come here and see what you folks think. 

   Now that I have some typed out instructions, it'll make the job a little less scary of making a huge mistake.  = )

   and yes, it is some sort of varnish.  Sorry, should have said that.  :) 

   Edited 5/5/2003 11:52:05 PM ET by Lora