[Donnmustang]

Ok well my fiancé and I took on the challenge of finishing a early 19th century table and chairs. I have stripped the paint with a chemical stripper. I am at the point of sanding and running into some frustration. There is a lot of fine detail that I can't really get into with just sanding by hand. There is also some minor paint in these small detail work that I can't seem to get out. Also there is minor paint deep in some grain that when I sand I feel like I am going no where. Is there any thing that could help with that. Also is there a stain or color that could go over? Aka at whits end feel like I am stuck. thanks for your help....

 

[Steve Neul]

When you strip a painted piece of furniture with the intent of staining you kinda have to keep at it until you get all the paint out. Sometimes you can get the paint out of the grain with a brass stripping brush. Sometimes it takes a scratch awl in the corners. I like to use a 1500 psi power washer to rinse the furniture off with. It tends to get the last paint off you couldn't scrub off. If it was just paint in cracks and crevasses I would probably just pick it off but in the grain I think you just need to strip it again.

The paint in the grain will sick out a lot more when you start staining. If you intend to go over it I would recommend a gel stain. It's more like paint itself and will tend to obscure the wood more. If you have a few spots of paint that still show you can mix some paint the color of the stain and just paint over the spots.

 

[cabinetman]

I would use an MC based stripper (methylene chloride). It's toxic as all get out, and you need to follow product instructions to a "T". The best over the counter stripper I've used is "Aircraft Stripper" in the blue can. It may take more than one application. You may have to pick in some tight areas.

For clean up use a rag wet with lacquer thinner, which will help in the crevices. I wouldn't use a water power washer.

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[Donnmustang]

Thanks. I just need to stick it out lol. I will try picking and using brush with the stripper. :smile: