How to remove varnish from furniture

The furniture restoration procedure is not easy, but doable! In order for this process to be successful, it is necessary to correctly remove the old topcoat, expose the wooden surface and only after that apply a special tool to update it. Before you remove the varnish from the furniture, you need to be patient and be prepared to conduct several phased steps.

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How to remove varnish from furniture?

In order to clean the old furniture cover, prepare the following inventory:

• chemical special flushing;
• protective mask, respirator;
• glasses;
• gloves
• sandpaper;
• sandpaper;
• putty knife;
• brush;
• hard metal brush;
• sponge;
• blowtorch;
• building hair dryer;
• polyethylene film.

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How to remove varnish from furniture?

The procedure for removing the old varnish must be done very carefully so as not to damage the tree itself, otherwise - spoil the whole process.

Once you have decided on this work, decide how to remove the varnish from the tree, what method you will use. There are several cleaning technologies:

• chemical;
• mechanical;
• water;
• thermal.

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Chemical method

Before removing varnish from wood using this method, put on a cotton suit, face shield, rubber gloves, and glasses.

Important! Chemical products for washing varnish from furniture contain acid and can burn the skin. A wash is a special mixture or powder that is designed to remove varnish from furniture and can corrode it to 10 layers. You can buy it in hardware stores.

Where to begin?

Before applying the wash, prepare it as follows:

1. Take dry powder.
2. Add the required amount of water specified in the instructions.
3. Stir the ingredients until a uniform, thick paste is obtained.

Important! The resulting thick gel paste is able to hold even on a vertical surface.

Stage 1. Flushing

Put the resulting paste-like mixture on the furniture as follows:

1. Take a brush.
2. Dip it in the paste.
3. Apply a generous layer to the surface of the furniture.

Important! Move in the same direction with the brush and avoid applying the wash again to the treated area.

Stage 2. Application of the film

This step will enhance the action of the wash:

1. Take the plastic wrap.
2. Cover it with the surface that was washed.
3. Leave the film from 40 minutes to 4 hours - depends on the quality and thickness of the varnish layer.
4. Remove the film.

Important! It is necessary to remove the film when the color of the applied wash becomes brown or dark brown, and the varnish coating swells.

Stage 3. Removal of varnish

Follow these steps in order to easily cope with the task of how to remove varnish from furniture:

1. Take a putty knife.
2. Clean off very neatly peeled particles.
3. Take sandpaper.
4. Walk it on the surface of the furniture and thus remove the remnants of varnish.

Important! Use a spatula only with non-sharp edges, if it is new, then sharpen its edges with a grindstone, otherwise you could damage the wood of the furniture you are cleaning. A great choice would be a plastic, not very hard, tool.

Step 4. Removing the Wash

Remove any remaining washings as follows:

1. Take 0.5 liters of water.
2. Add 100 ml of vinegar to it.
3. Dampen the sponge in the resulting solution.
4. Wash the surface with it.
5. Wipe with a flannel rag.
6. Put the cleaned furniture to dry in the open air or in a draft, but do not allow direct sunlight to reach the surface.

Important! During this step, try to act quickly so as not to expose the tree to prolonged exposure to moisture.

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Mechanical method

In this case, you can act not in one but in several ways. Read the instructions and decide which option will be more convenient for you.

Option 1

In the event that the varnish coating exfoliates in pieces, do this:

1. Take coarse sandpaper or a metal brush.
2. Clean the surface in a circular motion.
3. Take a spatula, a screwdriver.
4. Remove with their help varnish in hard-to-reach places.

Option 2

Remove old furniture lacquer with an eccentric sander and rough sandpaper. For this:

1. Wear a face shield and goggles.
2. Take sandpaper from grit 80-120, feed into the machine.
3. Treat the entire surface with a tool.
4. Change sandpaper to 180 grit.
5. Take a tool on wooden furniture.
6. Make sure there is no residue of varnish.

Important! Use these options in the case when, after cleaning the cover, you will paint or enamel on the furniture, as they are rather rough and there is a high probability of damage to the wood.

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Wet method

Remove old varnish as follows:

1. Take a sponge.
2. Moisten it with plenty of water.
3. Wipe off the coating you will remove.
4. Go over the wetted surface with coarse sandpaper.
5. Repeat these steps until the varnish turns into a slurry.
6. Wash and dry the surface well.
7. Walk on it with fine sanding paper.

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Thermal method

To use this technology, you need a blowtorch or a building hair dryer. The main advantage of this method is the speed and quality of cleaning. But this is only on condition that you act correctly.

Working process:

1. Heat a small area of ​​the surface from which you will remove the varnish, blowtorch or building hair dryer.
2. Take a spatula or a sharp knife.
3. Remove them softened layer of varnish.
4. Act quickly until the varnish cools down.
5. Continue to the next section.

Important! When using this method, proceed with caution, observe the firing distance and temperature conditions to avoid blackening of the wood, otherwise you will ruin it. If smoke appears on the coating and bubbles appear, stop immediately.

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We hope that our article was useful to you and you were not in a hurry to get rid of your old furniture, but, on the contrary, returned her well-groomed appearance. But remember that your furniture will serve you as far as possible, do not forget to care for it properly.