HitManWA

Sister in-law wants to borrow my orbital sander to refinish her desk. She wants to sand it down then repaint it. I suggested she strip it so she does not disturb the wood so much and waste a lot of sandpaper. Her reply was that a friend of hers sanded her, installed, cabinets and refinished them. I've never done cabinets or looked into it but it seems like that would be the way to go for cabinets, not furniture. Any thoughts?

breakfastchef

I highly recommend stripping before sanding. I would use a heat gun to get much of the paint off first. This is a good time to check that all joints are solid and make repairs. After the bulk of the finish is removed go with the stripper. I agree that the volume of sandpaper needed to take off paint would be pretty expensive.

firehawkmph

Hitman,
If your snlaw doesn't own an orbital sander, I don't think she realizes what she is in for. This sounds like another case of housewives watching too many diy shows on tv. I agree with stripping first, lot less mess, lot less disturbing of the wood. Either way its a lot of work.
Mike Hawkins

toddj99

If the desk has some sort of decorative edging, the sander may reduce it or eliminate it. Stripping it first would be the way to go then sanding the remainder.

BHOFM

Give her the sander. No matter the out come,
it will be your fault, learn to live with it!

HitManWA

lol BHOFM.

Thanks guys. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't off my rocker. I tried to explain to her that there was too much of a chance to disfigure the piece doing it her way, especially on corners and edges. I'm just a hobbyist so I have to double check on some of this stuff.

I suggested she strip, the desk, then clean it up with fine steel wool and maybe a 220 grit sandpaper. I'll stick to my guns.

Thanks again,