Replies

1. 
   Elcoholic | May 18, 2005 12:32am | #1

   The consensus is that 2# cut de-waxed shellac is the ultimate barrier coat but may not be necessary.  As far as stripping cured poly goes you'll need a belt sander.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

1. 
   Gretchen | May 18, 2005 08:11pm | #3

   As far as stripping cured poly goes you'll need a belt sander.

   Whassup with that statement.  Stripper?Gretchen

1. 
   MarkRD | May 19, 2005 02:17am | #4

   Will Methelyne Chloride touch water based poly? I've never tried but I assume that not much will stand up to MeCL.Mark
   

   Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.

   View Image

2. 
   Elcoholic | May 19, 2005 04:41am | #5

   I've read none of the usual strippers will touch fully cured poly, you have to sand it off.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

1. 
   Gretchen | May 19, 2005 02:31pm | #6

   Then I have to wonder what I stripped off of my table.Gretchen

1. 
   Elcoholic | May 19, 2005 03:55pm | #7

   If it was a factory finish it was probably conversion varnish.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

2. 
   Gretchen | May 19, 2005 04:38pm | #8

   It was an antique table that someone had refinished with poly. 

   Poly can be stripped.  You heard wrong.  Sanding is a good way to remove ALL the patina from a piece of furniture.

   "

   GretcView Image 2. Apply Chemical Stripper: To remove paint and polyurethane finishes or to strip stain from the wood's surface, you will need to apply a chemical stripper (as shown) or use a heat gun (see Step 4). Chemical stripping works best for irregular surfaces or for removing paint left behind by a heat gun. Brush on a thick coating of stripper in a single pass of the brush. (Don't brush it out as you would paint.) Wait until the finish has bubbled up before trying to remove it. How long you wait will depend on the stripper you use; it can range from 10 minutes to 24 hours (check the label). To prevent slower-acting strippers from drying out before they have done their work, cover the surface with plastic food wrap.hen

   Edited 5/19/2005 9:46 am ET by GRETCHEN

2. 
   ring | May 18, 2005 06:26pm | #2

   Hoov,

   You can put a solvent-based polyurethane over the water-based polyurethane without any barrier.  (Though I don't know why you would want to).  Why not stay with the water-based?

   DR