Q about refinishing cabinets.

[FastEddy]

I decided to take on the task of refinishing the bathroom vanity. Its made of wood with varnish over the top as well as 11 years of what ever was put on them for cleaning.

The issue I'm having is when I use an electric sander the varnish / other crap, balls up and clogs the sandpaper right a way. It seems to be from the heat that is generated. If I sand them by hand I don't get this issue but its taking me forever and a day.

I don't want to use a striper (chemical striper). I looked into using a striper but most of them charge extra due to the dust. Back to the point.

Any tricks?

 

[mr_bob]

Would wet sanding it have any effect on it??


dont know to much about wet sanding but just throwing out ideas

 

[Monkey Wrench]

Maybe instead of sand paper use those sanding screens drywallers use.

 

[neobart]

Cover it in a solution of potassium hydroxide, wrap it in clean film and leave over night. Next morning you can scrape it all right off.

We can get it over here in a brown soap. easy to use. BTW. it has a PH of 13-14. so watch your eyes, and everything else.

 

[dannyd]

i asked one of the guys reduing my kitchen and they said there are certain electric sanders that are specically made fore cabinets. you can get one of those are home depot if you want another sander. there are also certain types of solutions that can help get rid of the old grime making it out to sand what left behind. but things need to be left over night.

 

[FastEddy]

Ill look into the sander and maybe vented sandpaper.
For now I’m doing a small job. If it works well Ill do all of the cabinets in the house including the kitchen.

Thanks for the sander tip. I don’t like using chemicals to strip paint and varnish.
I'm still open for more options.

 

[vbgagnon]

I just fart on them and the stuff just runs off. :shrug:

 

[Monkey Wrench]

I just fart on them and the stuff just runs off. :shrug:

LMFAO!!!! Ah man, that's funny right there!

 

[NCNitro]

I just fart on them and the stuff just runs off. :shrug:

VB, that aint the varnish running off.

 

[robmob]

Try a heat gun. It should soften the finish enough to scrape it off.

 

[robriguez]

Could also try a lower grit sand paper. I had a similar problem trying to refinish a small dresser I found. The sandpaper kinda glazed over and stopped working. Switching to a lower (less fine) grit sand paper did the trick to get the majority of the varnish off then to a finer to sand the wood.

 

[sweetdiesel]

Have you thought about having the cabinets refaced? My inlaws had their kitchen cabinets refaced for about half the cost of new cabinets.

 

[ImBroken]

This may give you some ideas...
http://www.acehardware.com/sm-removing-old-paint-and-varnish--bg-1284545.html

I've done it in the past with a non-harmful varnish remover, that STINKS like oranges.. lol I think I smelled oranges for almost 2 months after... Worked well though.. I dont recall the name of the stuff...

 

[GruberRacing97]

This is my line of work. The only way it is coming off in a timely manner is to use a waterbased chem stripper. The only thing you will continue to do is clog sand paper.


Good luck.

 

[olds97_lss]

I used a citrus stripper when I re-finished the cabinets in our old apartment, a telephone stand thing and our old mehogany chest. All I have pictures of is the chest.

I did all of it indoors with a window open. The stuff worked really well and didn't seem to harm the wood at all. I wore rubber gloves, but that was just to keep the goo off of me.

I used something very similar to this: http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=136-022

Why don't you want to use chemical?

 

[FastEddy]

I wanted to avoid using chemicals due to the un-vented indoor space and the dog having to be a part of every move I make.

I went and got some Jasco and locked the dog outside. I'm an hour or so from being done..

 

[ZANDOR]

Eddy you better make sure that the Jasco Is neutralized befor laying any paint or stain..

Next time research a product called peel away..

 

[digger]

Different kind of sandpaper next time? Just a thought.
There are some that don't clog up as bad. Seems like the best I found for my belt sander was Norton?

I never wanted to use a stripper either. (least not that kind)
I've refinished a few pieces of furniture. Takes a lot of time.
Good luck with it.

 

[FastEddy]

Eddy you better make sure that the Jasco Is neutralized befor laying any paint or stain..

I asked the guy at the store and also read the directions.
It simply says:

"After scraping, let dry thoroughly then stain or paint."

After striping, I did wipe it down with a moist towel then sanded it with 100. After that I wiped it all down with a moist towel again. I ASSUME I'm ready to shoot it.

Am I wrong?

 

[Hunter]

I asked the guy at the store and also read the directions.
It simply says:

"After scraping, let dry thoroughly then stain or paint."

After striping, I did wipe it down with a moist towel then sanded it with 100. After that I wiped it all down with a moist towel again. I ASSUME I'm ready to shoot it.

Am I wrong?

100 you are kidding right? What kind of wood is it? Are you painting or staining?

If painting well if it looks good to you paint away if staining run some 220 atleast over it.