Let's talk about our wood work

[ViVceptioN]

I need the DIY gents to provide some advice

I see on many of the restoration videos I watch that people use Super D-Solver to remove the old varnish, what alternative to that can I get in our country?

 

[PandaAttack1]

I've used this before:

Duram Ecostripp Paint Stripper 1L 01-07-001

• A highly effective and easy to use paint stripper that can remove almost all paint from a wide range of surfaces • Non-toxic gel formulation with excellent vertical cling • Methylene Chloride, Acid and alkai free • Lead and heavy metal free • Gentle on wood and plaster.

www.chamberlains.co.za

Worked well, but had to be patient. The varnish was 80's cabinet old. Still had to quite a bit with sandpaper in some nooks & crannies though.

 

[PandaAttack1]

I've used this before:

Duram Ecostripp Paint Stripper 1L 01-07-001

• A highly effective and easy to use paint stripper that can remove almost all paint from a wide range of surfaces • Non-toxic gel formulation with excellent vertical cling • Methylene Chloride, Acid and alkai free • Lead and heavy metal free • Gentle on wood and plaster.

www.chamberlains.co.za

Worked well, but had to be patient. The varnish was 80's cabinet old. Still had to quite a bit with sandpaper in some nooks & crannies though.

This one looks more potent if you want to go full nuke @ViVceptioN :

Duram Durastripp 500ml

• A highly effective and easy to use paint stripper that can remove almost all paint from a wide range of surfaces.

www.chamberlains.co.za

 

[ViVceptioN]

Now I do enjoy the banter, but I want to remind people that this is a discussion thread and not smack talk. I am actually looking for solutions and constructive advice

 

[Areola Grande]

Right you are.

A quick Google says these products should work..

Takealot

Builders | Shop DIY, Paint and Building Materials Online

www.builders.co.za

 

[CarboVan]

My experience with strippers in general, is that they are just trying to put their kids through college... 😏
Jokes aside, ever single time I've tried solvents, it tends to just leave a mess that is more difficult to remove than the initial paint to begin with.
Time + elbow grease has served me well
Apart from that, the right tool for the job is paramount. Get that dremel bit/belt sander/mouse sander, whatever will fit the purpose, as it will save you so much time and frustration.

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

Now I do enjoy the banter, but I want to remind people that this is a discussion thread and not smack talk. I am actually looking for solutions and constructive advice

This is like a gel, it won't drip.

 

[brakpanpolisie]

I need the DIY gents to provide some advice

I see on many of the restoration videos I watch that people use Super D-Solver to remove the old varnish, what alternative to that can I get in our country?

Is the old varnish that cooked that you want to completely remove it? Would a light sand and new coat not suffice?


Also do you want to varnish or are you painting said piece? In which case you can sand, prime and paint, don't see a need to completely remove the old coating.
The paint strippers work but depending on the piece it can be a mess. (Did and entire deck, don't ask.)
Also wherever it touches it burns.

Pro tip : Don't get paint stripper on any of your extremities.

 

[ViVceptioN]

Is the old varnish that cooked that you want to completely remove it? Would a light sand and new coat not suffice?


Also do you want to varnish or are you painting said piece? In which case you can sand, prime and paint, don't see a need to completely remove the old coating.
The paint strippers work but depending on the piece it can be a mess. (Did and entire deck, don't ask.)
Also wherever it touches it burns.

Pro tip : Don't get paint stripper on any of your extremities.

I want to completely remove it and put on another varnish. Basically my doors, all 8 of them, are solid wood doors with that orange/red'ish color as varnish (they also heavily fkn botched the doors with the varnish, layer on layer of thick varnish buildup). I want the more oak look (imbuia).

I've started with the one door already, heavy elbow grease, but I was wondering if it won't go quicker with a stripper (haha) because they make it look so easy in the videos I also thought it would make the nooks and crannies easier to strip off the varnish

 

[Dom]

I want to completely remove it and put on another varnish. Basically my doors, all 8 of them, are solid wood doors with that orange/red'ish color as varnish (they also heavily fkn botched the doors with the varnish, layer on layer of thick varnish buildup). I want the more oak look (imbuia).

I've started with the one door already, heavy elbow grease, but I was wondering if it won't go quicker with a stripper (haha) because they make it look so easy in the videos I also thought it would make the nooks and crannies easier to strip off the varnish

I would recommend Woodoc (as a general good affordable product) - used their Imbuia gel stain on a 210 cm shelf and it looks gorgeous.

Pretty sure interior doors would just need a sealant afterwards (which can be coloured too).

 

[ViVceptioN]

I would recommend Woodoc (as a general good affordable product) - used their Imbuia gel stain on a 210 cm shelf and it looks gorgeous.

Pretty sure interior doors would just need a sealant afterwards (which can be coloured too).

Yep currently using the Woodoc sealant that is coloured (or stained or whatever people want to call it). Won't use another brand for sealer.

 

[brakpanpolisie]

I want to completely remove it and put on another varnish. Basically my doors, all 8 of them, are solid wood doors with that orange/red'ish color as varnish (they also heavily fkn botched the doors with the varnish, layer on layer of thick varnish buildup). I want the more oak look (imbuia).

I've started with the one door already, heavy elbow grease, but I was wondering if it won't go quicker with a stripper (haha) because they make it look so easy in the videos I also thought it would make the nooks and crannies easier to strip off the varnish

Oh right yea no that is gonna be heavy elbow grease.
The only caveat with the strippers I know of is that you need to rinse the product with water afterwards, unless there is one that does not require it? Which if you want to take off and remount 8 solid wood doors is doable....
Someone mentioned those little mouse sanders, they work very well just get a ton of sandpaper lol

 

[Bassonfly99]

I want to completely remove it and put on another varnish. Basically my doors, all 8 of them, are solid wood doors with that orange/red'ish color as varnish (they also heavily fkn botched the doors with the varnish, layer on layer of thick varnish buildup). I want the more oak look (imbuia).

I've started with the one door already, heavy elbow grease, but I was wondering if it won't go quicker with a stripper (haha) because they make it look so easy in the videos I also thought it would make the nooks and crannies easier to strip off the varnish

Unless the doors design makes it almost impossible id recommend using a heat gun and scraper. It should remove 90% of the buildup and after just a light sanding is needed to clean things up. This should also save you some time and money on abrasives since it wont clog up so easily.

 

[albaster]

A tip that I learnt from an older gentleman. Use some steel wool to get the varnish off. Once removed then go and smooth out a. It with sand paper and then bobs your uncle/aunty/both.

Uses less elbow grease than just sanding and doesn’t clog up as much. However you’ll also have to keep an eye on the spots you’ve rubbed/scraped. Trying to not go all the way down onto the wood to the point of damaging it. So not too much elbow grease

 

[SoF_ZA]

Heat gun/propane gas torch>scraper>sandpaper to finish off.

Careful not to burn the wood - takes some practice.

Heat method is good for multiple layers of paint/varnish in one go.

 

[OnlyBreezy]

Buy new doors. Dead honest, removing varnish is not fun and is going to take forever.

 

[ViVceptioN]

Buy new doors. Dead honest, removing varnish is not fun and is going to take forever.

I'll send my banking details then you can give me the money for it, replacing 8 solid wood doors is going to cost a small fortune

 

[ViVceptioN]

A tip that I learnt from an older gentleman. Use some steel wool to get the varnish off. Once removed then go and smooth out a. It with sand paper and then bobs your uncle/aunty/both.

Uses less elbow grease than just sanding and doesn’t clog up as much. However you’ll also have to keep an eye on the spots you’ve rubbed/scraped. Trying to not go all the way down onto the wood to the point of damaging it. So not too much elbow grease

I saw a couple of restoration videos where they use steel wool as well, might be something to try especially in the nooks and crannies

 

[albaster]

Yeah it works a treat. Good luck hope it makes things easier for you

 

[NemoXX7]

@ViVceptioN made progress on this? I used the gel-like product and it worked a treat for stripping an old dresser from thick latex like enamel paint.

Just WEAR GLOVES holy cow, I didn't think and it started burning my hand when I touched some on the paint brush.

 

[ViVceptioN]

@ViVceptioN made progress on this? I used the gel-like product and it worked a treat for stripping an old dresser from thick latex like enamel paint.

Just WEAR GLOVES holy cow, I didn't think and it started burning my hand when I touched some on the paint brush.

Honestly no, life got hectic and DIY has taken a step back. On Saturday I did complete the sanding on the door I was busy with before I made this thread, but I think I will get some stripper for the next one and see how that goes. I will definitely wear gloves I've seen in a bunch of videos people use latex gloves when working with a stripper. What product did you use?

 

[NemoXX7]

Honestly no, life got hectic and DIY has taken a step back. On Saturday I did complete the sanding on the door I was busy with before I made this thread, but I think I will get some stripper for the next one and see how that goes. I will definitely wear gloves I've seen in a bunch of videos people use latex gloves when working with a stripper. What product did you use?

I used this one:

Builders | Shop DIY, Paint and Building Materials Online

You put a thick coat on and wrap it in cling film so it doesn't dry out, then after 20 to 30 minutes the finish should come off easily with a scraper.

One thing I wasn't sure about was if it needs to be neutralised afterward or not (being so acidic) so afterward I did wipe down the wood using mineral spirits and a very fine steel wool before sanding. This might be overkill though idk

 

[ViVceptioN]

I used this one:

Builders | Shop DIY, Paint and Building Materials Online

You put a thick coat on and wrap it in cling film so it doesn't dry out, then after 20 to 30 minutes the finish should come off easily with a scraper.

One thing I wasn't sure about was if it needs to be neutralised afterward or not (being so acidic) so afterward I did wipe down the wood using mineral spirits and a very fine steel wool before sanding. This might be overkill though idk

Sweet I usually use mineral spirits between sanding, so will do it before as well

 

[FeelsBranMan]

I don't mean to derail the thread, but what would one use to remove paint from particle board?

There was a time where I was following a black/white theme for my work area, but I have since changed 😅

 

[NemoXX7]

I don't mean to derail the thread, but what would one use to remove paint from particle board?

There was a time where I was following a black/white theme for my work area, but I have since changed 😅

Im assuming it has veneer over the particle board? Or is it just paint straight onto the particle board?

I think stripper would work fine, the particle board is just susceptible to moisture so be careful to not get it too wet.

Otherwise are you just gonna paint it another colour? Because then you could probably just use a stain blocking primer and paint over it

 

[Ninja Sandwich]

@DaneM

 

[FeelsBranMan]

Im assuming it has veneer over the particle board? Or is it just paint straight onto the particle board?

I think stripper would work fine, the particle board is just susceptible to moisture so be careful to not get it too wet.

Otherwise are you just gonna paint it another colour? Because then you could probably just use a stain blocking primer and paint over it

Straight paint onto the board. It was painted black and now has a shiny surface. I'd love to get the old wood-like surface (vinyl? wallpaper?) back, but I've kinda accepted that I can't get that back since a stripper might tear through it.

I haven't quite decided what I want to do with the particle board, I am thinking of either painting it white or applying a vinyl over it

 

[NemoXX7]

Straight paint onto the board. It was painted black and now has a shiny surface. I'd love to get the old wood-like surface (vinyl? wallpaper?) back, but I've kinda accepted that I can't get that back since a stripper might tear through it.

I haven't quite decided what I want to do with the particle board, I am thinking of either painting it white or applying a vinyl over it

I checked over on Reddit and people say stripper works, haven't seen any before and after pics but yea.

If you want that natural wood look I would go for a sheet of plywood, couple of hundred bucks at Leroy merlin or builders and they will cut it to size for you

 

[FeelsBranMan]

I checked over on Reddit and people say stripper works, haven't seen any bofre and after pics but yea.

If you want that natural wood look I would go for a sheet of plywood, couple of hundred bucks at Leroy merlin or builders and they will cut it to size for you

Thanks, appreciate the advice. I'll give this a try🙏

 

[Off-The-Chart]

Honestly no, life got hectic and DIY has taken a step back. On Saturday I did complete the sanding on the door I was busy with before I made this thread, but I think I will get some stripper for the next one and see how that goes. I will definitely wear gloves I've seen in a bunch of videos people use latex gloves when working with a stripper. What product did you use?

MUST.... RESIST....

MUST.... NOT.... COMMENT....





/fails