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