'To strip or not to strip ?... that is the question' Tips: Refinishing

To strip or not to strip ?... that is the question

if the old finish should be removed or not.

One way to tell, is to simply try to scratch the finish with your fingernail,

if you are able to scratch easily, it is a sure sign that the old finish is dry and maybe time to remove it and refinish the item.

Refinishing involves several steps , easy enough to accomplish if you pace yourself from one to the next.That my friends is the most important thing you need to keep in mind, particularly if we are talking about a large item.

I remember a customer who walked in to our shop with nice little table, old piece, probably from around the " Big Depression " , not a valuable item to the rest of the world, but it meant a lot to her and she was concerned about damaging the value of it if refinished;I took a close look and the finish was very dry from having been in an attic, but I was able to tell, it was a Shellac , so we proceeded to explain to the lady how the old finish could be saved without stripping it off and so we did.

Stripping should be your last resort, ask your local refinisher to take a quick look at your item if you're in doubt;it may surprise you to discover all the tips he or she might share with you.

More to follow ....

Expert Page: Harry C. Johnson & Son Inc. Cabinetmakers Since 1906

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