How to clean old varnish from furniture?

How to clean old varnish from furniture?- This question arises, when you need to put in order the interior items. The reasons for this may be completely different. Sometimes, under some circumstances, the varnish is damaged in a quite modern closet or shelf. It happens that I want to remake even a new thing. And there are people who love antiques, rare dressers and sideboards, complementing the interior in a vintage style. In this case, when updating furniture, the question naturally arises as to how to remove the varnish from the interior. With possible safe and effective ways, we will introduce you in this article.

to the contents ↑

How to remove old varnish from furniture?

No single method has been invented yet, each thing requires an individual approach, because:

• furniture can be different - array, veneer, particle board and so on;
• varnish can be different in composition - old on an alcohol basis, based on natural resin, a modern multi-component quick-drying varnish and others.

In addition, the choice of the method of removing the old varnish depends on how important it is for you to preserve the structure of the top layer of the wooden thing:

• You can remove the varnish with a grinder and coat with paint. In this case, the main thing is to clean and smooth the surface.
• And if you are updating, for example, an antique wardrobe made of solid oak, then for sure you will want to choose a gentle method to maximize the picture of this tree.

Based on the goals and opportunities, choose the best way for you to remove the old varnish coating from the list below.

to the contents ↑

How to clean old varnish with furniture from wood?

There are not so many ways to accomplish the task:

• Chemical. The essence of it is that a substance is applied to the surface of the object, which dissolves and softens the old lacquer, after which it remains only to be scraped off.
• Mechanical. The varnish is removed from the furniture by abrasion with sandpaper, grinder, metal brush and other similar tools.
• Thermal. The varnish is exposed to high temperatures with a construction hair dryer, a gas burner or a blowtorch.
• Water. The varnish is moistened with water, which softens it, then its residues are removed with sandpaper.

Important! The first and the last are the softer methods that do not severely damage the top layer of the processed wooden thing, but the second and third are more aggressive to the surface of the furniture.

Let's consider all the methods in more detail in order to have a complete understanding of the procedures.

to the contents ↑

Chemical method

So, how to remove the old varnish from furniture in this reliable and gentle way?

Required inventory:

• Protective cotton suit, rubber gloves, goggles, mask.

Important! You will work with aggressive substances, so you need to protect the skin, eyes and respiratory system.

• A container for diluting the mixture.

Important! It is desirable to use glass containers.

• Brush for applying a wash to the surface of furniture.
• The very washing or solvent.

Important! Choose a chemical preparation according to the type of varnish.

• Spatula for cleaning the softened varnish from the surface.
• Polyethylene film for enhanced washing action.
• Rigid small metal brush, if the surface of the furniture has protrusions, curvatures, curly edges and so on.
• Water, vinegar, soft sponge and a piece of flannel will be needed at the final stage of work.

How to choose the right flush remover?

• A varnish based on natural resins, which is also called shellac, is recommended to be removed using denatured alcohol.
• Solvents for varnish in the form of a spray are suitable only for thin layers of varnish.
• Liquid washing can remove varnish from the surface of furniture, if it is not more than three layers. It quickly vanishes from the surface and will not have time to act deeper.
• Paste washings are the best option for multi-layer lacquer coating.

Important! For some types of varnish, you can do with a conventional solvent, for example, acetone.

Procedure:

• First you need to prepare everything you need and protect yourself from getting the wash on the body.
• Substance( usually it is sold as a powder or a mixture) dilute according to the instruction with water until a pasty state. Stir thoroughly.
• When everything is ready, apply a thick layer of paste on the surface to be treated with a brush.

Important! Move in one direction to grab all areas and cover them evenly, without missing anything. On vertical surfaces such a wash is also easily applied, it will not drain down.

• In many cases, the manufacturer recommends covering the surface after applying a wash with a polyethylene film to enhance the effect.

Important! The duration of "wrapping" can be from 30 minutes to 4 hours - it depends on the thickness of the varnish and the kind of washing. Usually an indication that the substance has acted is a change in the color of the applied paste - it darkens to a saturated brown color.

• When the color has changed, and the varnish is sometimes swollen, we proceed to the next stage - the scraping of the old varnish. If you did everything correctly, it should be easily removed with a spatula.

Important! If you do not want to seriously damage the surface of the tree, then use a non-sharp metal spatula, and plastic.

• When finished with the main part, use a metal brush to clean all hard-to-reach places and curved bends. Remnants of varnish can be removed with nest.
• After removing the varnish, it is necessary to wash away the remnants of the paste and the dust from the furniture surface. To do this, in 0.5 liters of water, dilute 150 ml of table vinegar. Using a soft pressed sponge, walk through the treated area, trying not to wet it, as the tree, as we know, does not like water very much.
• After this treatment, dry everything with a flannel and dry the piece of furniture in the open air, avoiding direct sunlight.

Important! Only after full drying you can proceed to further work.

to content ↑

Mechanical method

This method of removing varnish is not as fast as the previous one, and it requires a little more physical effort, but the financial expenses are less - you do not need to buy a wash for varnish. Its downside is that the outer layer of the tree can be damaged, even very significantly. So keep this in mind if you just want to update the vintage furniture.

Important! Also it is worth remembering that in products made from chipboard only the outer layer imitates the structure of the cut tree. If you damage it by machining, then you just have to cover the surface with paint.

Required work equipment:

• Sanders.
• Sandpaper of different granularity( from 80 to 180).
• Spatula, screwdriver.
• Metal brush.
• Safety goggles, clothing and gloves

Procedure:

• How do I remove varnish from a stool, for example, if it has already begun to fragmentarily peel off? First you need to walk on the surface of a nest with a large grain to remove the main layer.

Important! Make circular motions.

• Then walk through hard-to-reach places with a steel brush, spatula and screwdriver.
• After you have disposed of most of the varnish, grind the surface with a fine-grained sandpaper.
• If the lacquer still holds tight, then the grinder will help you get rid of it. First, use a nozzle with a grain size of 80, and in the end - with a grain size of 120-180.

Important! The tool will do this tedious work quickly and minimize physical effort.

• Finally, wipe off any remaining lacquer from the surface with a damp sponge, allow the furniture to dry before proceeding with further processing.

Important! As one of the options for removing the old varnish, experts suggest using a cycle( a sharpened steel plate, which is attached to the handle at an angle).It is convenient to handle flat surfaces of large size. In the absence of a cycle, you can even remove the old lacquer with glass shrapnel, but, of course, this requires a certain sleight of hand and a love of risk.

to the contents ↑

Thermal method

Let's say at once that this method is also not the most "friendly" to the tree, since accidental overheating of the site can lead to the appearance of dark spots. In addition, you need to be very careful while you work, so as not to get burned or not to bring everything to a fire.

Required inventory:

• Protective clothing, goggles, thick cotton gloves.
• Building dryer( blowtorch).
• Spatula.
• Metal small brush and screwdriver for hard-to-reach places.

Procedure

Surface must be treated with areas. Go all warm and rinse the varnish will not work. Act quickly:

• Carefully, keeping the necessary distance, warm up the area, quickly begin to use a spatula to scrape the varnish until it freezes.

Important! Edges and bends will be more convenient to handle with a steel brush or screwdriver.

• Lacquer after heating is very easy to remove, most importantly - act quickly and do not allow overheating of the wooden surface, otherwise it will turn black or may smoke.

Important! Do not forget that it is necessary to carry out such processing of furniture in the open air or in a well-ventilated room.

to content ↑

water method It is considered to be the most simple and safe, although it may not work with some types of varnish. In addition, this method is the least expensive.

Required inventory:

• Capacity with water.
• Soft sponge.
• Sandpaper with large and fine granularity.
• Flannel or other soft cloth.

Procedure:

1. Sponge soaked in water sponge on the surface of the furniture.
2. Water gradually dissolves the lacquer( though not all types).It becomes loose after a while, and it can be scraped off with a large grain of sandpaper.
3. The old varnish becomes a gruel. For the best result, rub it with small emery.
4. After you have processed the entire surface, wash off all dirt and wipe dry with flannel or other soft cloth.
5. Dry well, and then you can apply a new varnish or paint.

When updating old lacquered furniture or damaging some new areas, you definitely need knowledge how to remove old varnish from furniture. There are several ways, so it is possible to choose the best option for a particular type of product and type of coverage. Acting in any case should be very carefully, as damaging the furniture is easy enough. Using useful recommendations from the article, you will certainly achieve the desired result.