I just finished a wall of boiserie paneling, installed it and the armoir that matches, and the client is now unhappy with the color. The finish is a very thin, super thin coat of shellac and colored wax. I have never had to just remove wax, and it seems like a nightmare. Am I right in thinking mineral spirits will get the color out?
Joshua
Replies
Did you make a test panel for them to approve? Mineral spirits should remove the wax. There are other wax removers but I would test it on a sample if it has anything that could possibly affect the shellac.
If they approved a test panel and you can show that it still matches what you did for them, any changes should be on their dime.
will mineral spirits get the color out? and yes they approved the test panel and it sat there for a week but it just reads dark in a small dark room. The decorator dropped the ball, not me.
If the job matches the test panel, it shouldn't cost yo anything. The detonator should have explained that the room would look darker when the whole wall was done that way. I agree- test what you're going to remove it with on something that doesn't matter, like the test panel. The last thing you want to test on is the finished product.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
Jones,Take Sapwood advice and do a test.
Try turpentine as well, it's the fastest wax solvent, it shouldn't melt the shellac.C.
What kind of wood are we talking about? Is there any stain? Did you use a tinted shellac? What color is the shellac? When you say colored wax, is it something you mixed up yourself or a commercial brand?If the color is too dark now, what is the plan to lighten it up? Normally, wax does not darken surfaces too much.Any petroleum solvent will dissolve the wax but you need to wipe the surface dry changing the face on your wiper. Otherwise, you are just dissolving the wax and when the solvent evaporates, you are left with the wax still on the surface. Depending on what finish you plan to apply, you may have to apply another coat of shellac to seal in any residual wax. Also, wax using on deep pored woods can be problematic as it is difficult to get out of the deep pores.Test your plans before you do anything else.Howie.........
Edited 8/26/2007 3:10 pm ET by HowardAcheson
Agree, without exception, with highfigh. If they approved the color in the first place then it is THEIR costly mistake...not yours.
Either mineral spirits or naptha to remove the wax without removing the shellac. But for crying out loud, do a test...... how long could that take? No matter what anyone says on this forum regarding what to do.... you still should test it for yourself before mucking about.
I've found that with paints the swatch of paint never looks as intense as when the color covers a whole wall. I'll cut colors by half with white my if they don't have light enough ones.
Flooring company I worked for did a lot of high-end work. Once we did a gray floor ( about 1800 sq ft, red oak, bleached and stained) for a designer. Floor was not to my liking, but he was paying well.
When the floor was done, he claimed it was not what he approved. Well, we pulled out a 4ft x 4ft sample panel with his signature on the face, dropped it on top of the floor and it matched perfectly. Learned on that one job to always do a sample and make the client sign it. Protects both parties.
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