I have an old house (95 yrs old) that has original trimwork finished with shellac. Over the years the shellac has crackled or “alligatored”. I was wondering if there was an easier way to refinish this than standard stripping or sanding. I tried a section using steel wool and alchohol—not he answer.
Any ideas? Thanks, Dan
Replies
Try a "refinisher" (as opposed to a paint stripper).
You're sure it's shellac, as in, alcohol did in fact dissolve it?
If you want new wood, sand. If you want old wood, and the patina, there are commercial strippers that work well. Formby's was the main brand, pricey but worked well.
If you are unsure what the finish is, give lacquer thinner on steel wool a try. Immensely cheaper than the commercial strippers.
Good luck. Nasty job no matter the method. Not anything I'd want to do again.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
Try cleaning it, then appy a fresh coat over the old. Shellac will 'burn in', meaning one later softens the previous, and they blend together.
Many times I've found that the stain or color in the wood was actually applied in the shellac topcoat.
Test this out in an inconspicous spot first.
Thanks all for responses,
"Martha?", thanks for tip for 'refinisher' I'll look into that. Any brands you like?
VaTom, Thanks for help. Yes, it is shellac as it does cut with alchohol. Will lacquer thinner disolve it as well?
Dave, Interesting idea on top coating. If I do that though, I'll have to sand it down a little first I think as its alligatored pretty bad. Thanks.
Dan
I'll go ya one better than recommending a brand of "refinisher". I'll instead give ya a formula that duplicates Hope's or Fornby's.(Don't tell anyone else, okay? <G>)Equal parts of acetone, methanol (wood alcohol), methylene chloride and tolulene.Try a paint supplier like Sherwin-Williams for these chemicals in gallons or 5-ers. PS - This will work much better/faster/easier than lacquer thinner on your project.Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
Edited 11/29/2004 8:08 pm ET by GOLDHILLER
Goldhiller,
Thanks for the help.
Dan