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  1. 9th April 2005, 01:24 PM #1
    Green
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    Default Removing a dried out finish

    I have recently acquired a 1950's 3 piece lounge in what I think is a rosewood colour finish. A large portion of the surface has an orange colour finish that I can scrape off with my fingernail. The ends of the armrests that are constantly handled look okay. I think the dried out finish is just years of polish buildup (aka Mr Sheen) and that underneath I should find an intact original polyurethane finish.

    If this is correct, how should I get it back to the original finish?

    If I'm not correct, then what is the likely situation and solution? Thanks.
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  2. 9th April 2005 01:24 PM # ADS
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  3. 10th April 2005, 01:24 PM #2
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    Highly unlikely to be polyurethane. Most likely french polish or more likely nitrocelulose lacquer.
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  4. 10th April 2005, 06:46 PM #3
    rsser
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    How would he be able to tell? And what would he do next?
    (Apart from weep at the amount of work required to strip and sand).
    Cheers, Ern
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  5. 10th April 2005, 08:49 PM #4
    Green
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    I think it is very likely to be nitrocelulose lacquer, even though I don't know exactly what that is. It's like a celulose protective outer coat you see on many industrial items, but in this case drided and somewhat brittle with age. Assuming that to be the case, what is the likely finish underneath, and, why is an experience guy like Ern expressing such dismay. I'm getting the feeling I'm in at the deep end!

    Green
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  6. 12th April 2005, 10:22 PM #5
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    You could try vinegar first. If that doesn't cut it then try turps, which won't affect the finish if it's shellac. For the same reason avoid methylated spirits or thinners.
    Rusty
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  7. 12th April 2005, 11:45 PM #6
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    Sounds like a job for "U BEAUT polish reviver" available at a store near you.
    Any thing with sharp teeth eats meat.
    Most powertools have sharp teeth.
    People are made of meat.
    Abrasives can be just as dangerous as a blade.....and 10 times more painfull.
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  8. 13th April 2005, 09:04 AM #7
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    Soundman's right it really does sound like the ideal job for our Polish Reviver. However it isn't available in the UK and we can't mail it to you.

    Get yourself a good polish reviver from Libron or one of the other polish manufacturers over there and give it a good bath with that. Shouldn't hurt anything. Will probably fix the problem or let you know if you need to go the whole hog. ie: strip and repolish.

    Cheers - Neil
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  9. 14th April 2005, 02:38 PM #8
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    Neil,

    Sutherland Shire is south Sydney.

    Cheers
    The Numbat is a small striped marsupial whose whole diet consists of termites.
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  10. 14th April 2005, 08:03 PM #9
    Green
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    Yep, Sutherland - Sydney.
    I tried the vinegar and the turps - no joy, but I can still scratch it off with my fingernail. The lounge was made by Van Treight Furniture in Sydney but the last info about them on the web is 1995. No phone listing.

    I am convinced that this is not polish build-up but some clear manufacturer applied surface protection. Would the U-bueat polish remover still be a chance and "Where do you get it".

    green
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  11. 15th April 2005, 12:22 PM #10
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    Take a look here http://www.ubeaut.com.au/comm1.htm

    Cheers
    The Numbat is a small striped marsupial whose whole diet consists of termites.
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