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| Leave it to the pro. Michael Dresdner, a nationally known wood finishing and woodworking expert, has answered hundreds of common wood finishing questions in Varathane’s Q&A library to help you successfully complete your project. Click on a link to the left for help and solid advice. |
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| Q: The pieces I stained came out too dark. If the stain has been on for a week, can I still get most of it off by scrubbing with lacquer thinner?
A: Possibly. It is worth a try. If not, graduate to paint remover. |  | |
| Q: I recently found a small, old chest on which someone had botched a refinishing job. I am a decorative painter and want to make sure the finish I choose will produce the best results for my artwork. I have successfully sanded most of the old finish except for the crevices of some decorative cut work on the upper portion of the front. I want a black finish and am thinking that I will brush paint it with a good quality latex semi gloss. Do I need to prime it first?
A: You certainly do. I would also clean it with mineral spirits on nylon abrasive pads before adding the primer, since removing a finish by sanding can often simply drive any surface contaminants deeper into the wood. When you are ready for primer, choose one with a good track record for blocking a wide range of materials. I’d use Zinsser BIN if I wanted a white primer, or Zinsser SealCoat if I had to have a clear primer. | | |
| Q: I inherited a 50’s bedroom suite. It is in great shape but the blond finish has yellowed. Should I just sand it down or use a stripper?
A: As a general rule, chemical strippers are usually more effective at getting all the old finish off. This is not to say one can’t sand off a finish, but there are other steps involved first, such as cleaning and degreasing before you sand, and it takes a decent amount of judgment to do it without either leaving finish on in spots, sanding away edges or features, or both. | | |
| Q: How can I remove mold and mildew from a cherry chest that will be re-finished at a later date?
A: Wipe it down with full strength household laundry bleach. |
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