As a follow up to Peter Chatsworth’s question to Peter Gedrys, I have a somewhat similar problem with old oak moldings at an apartment building in New York City. The moldings were finished in shellac originally, then some were painted. When we got past the paint and attacked the shellac to get to the base color, stripping the shellac with denatured alcohol was not too difficult on the flat parts of the molding, but did not do much for the interstices (or ridges in ordinary speak), particularly where old paint remained at those places and where nicks existed. Also,and more to the point, there is an imbalance of color on the moldings after successful shellac removal, using a combination of denatured alcohol, oxalic acid and paint stripper. So the question is, how do we treat the wood to achieve a uniform color? Is it best to use oxolic acid or is the solution to use a gel stain or other method to achieve a uniformity?
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Replies
Concerning stripping;
The stripper removes the paint, the oxalic acid bleaches the wood.
When you have stripper on the wood, a brass brush comes in very handy. As you start to remove the stripper, you can give it a light scrubbing with the brass brush and wipe it as you go. A maroon scotch pad will help pick up the loosened paint etc. This will also aid in cleaning all cavities
Next wash it down with a solvent such as alcohol and dry it as you go. Be sure to work in sections. In other words washing the surface while it is still active is far better than washing it after the stripping residue has had a chance to dry and re-harden.
This should give you a reasonably uniform appearance.
A gel stain can be used if required and will help you even out the color.
Be sure you have plenty of ventilation during the stripping process. Also, if you use alcohol as a washing agent be very clear of the dangers involved;
IT BURNS WITHOUT A FLAME AND THE FUMES CAN TRAVEL TO THE SOURCE OF IGNITION. THE FUMES WILL SETTLE SO KEEP THE AIR MOVING. THE SOURCE OF IGNITION CAN BE A HOT WATER HEATER, BOILER, A CARELESS CIRGARETTE SMOKER ETC.
Be careful with your stain rags also.
Work smart, work safe.
Peter
Thanks, finally, for your reply. The stripper worked very well, as did denatured alcohol, but the brass brush left so gray streaks so we stopped using it and substituted both clean white rags and the scotch brite pads. Yeah, the stripper stinks to a higher heavan than President Bush looks to when seeking advice, and the alcohol gets one slightly high unless the window is open and an exhaust fan blows New York City overbearing apartment heat to the winds. This is a game for young people, not 72 year old geezers!
It does take me a few days to reply, thanks for your patience.
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