Hi Fellas, I have a customer who has about 6 layers of varnish on porch flooring. It looks bad right now and need to be refinished. It is about 250sf. I don’t refinish floors that often but one time I did one that had varnish and would gum up a drum sander paper in no time at all. I was thinking of using a chemical stripper. If it wasn’t such a good customer I would run for the hills but I have to get it done. Any thoughts. thanks
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I'd still use a drum sander. First cut crossways with #3-1/2 grit paper.
Next cut with the grain with # 36 grit paper.
If it's soft wood then the last cut with #60 grit. Hard wood #80 grit.
Get a squirt bottle that squirts a stream and squirt kerosene ahead as you go. It'll let you know how much kerosene you need. I've done it many times and it really tames an otherwise impossible job.
What does the kerosene do?
Rez, Kerosene keeps the paper from loading up. It stinks a little but it's well worth it.
Mesic, who never messes up! :<]
That smiley looks like Darth Vader
~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netSee my work at TedsCarpentry.com
Ted W, I wasn't sure how that crooked smile would show so I guess I need some practice.:<) How's that? :<} Yikes
. .~~ Ted W ~
Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netSee my work at TedsCarpentry.com
I don't think your insurance company would agree that mixing
petroleum fumes + sanding dust + electricity = your fiduciary duty of "safe practices".A La Carte Government funding... the real democracy.
Using nothing makes smoke and fumes also if it's a tough varnish job. Using kerosene eases the pain and saves considerable sandpaper. The Insurance company doesn't get involved because it doesn't create any problems but you might have a problem if you try to keep the sanding dust overnight. But the safest is to not keep any sanding dust overnight because you are never sure what materials have been on the floor.
Thanks for your help.
- dave
Try a thin coat of motor oil it does the same thing as the kerosene, it keeps the paper from loading. Just coat a small area at a time with a very thin film as it gets slippery when done on a large area.
Thanks for the input!