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Post by shin on Apr 18, 2016 0:37:46 GMT
Well I finally am taking apart the cabinets upstairs, removing hinges, knobs, catches, in preparation for repainting them.
But before repainting the accumulated years of grease along with the old lacquer have to be taken off.
I see there are some longer taking varnish removers out there, like a citrus one that you let stuff soak in for 24 hours, that's even said to be safe for indoor use (I would use it outdoors anyway).
No experience doing this before -- Anyone try these less obnoxious varnish removers, and think they will work well for this job?
I have some nice replacement knobs already in the mail, might be able to save the previous hinges, might not, things are quite cruddy, but I'm soaking them in preparation for scrubbing to see what they look like after it.
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Post by AD in WNC on Apr 18, 2016 1:00:33 GMT
A number of years ago, I used TSP to take the varnish off of a coffee table. It didn't smell bad, it wasn't very expensive and it worked. I remember working on a shower curtain in a corner of the living room of our condo. It was a little messy, but not difficult. Good luck!
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Post by feather on Apr 18, 2016 1:13:14 GMT
A number of years ago, I used TSP to take the varnish off of a coffee table. It didn't smell bad, it wasn't very expensive and it worked. I remember working on a shower curtain in a corner of the living room of our condo. It was a little messy, but not difficult. Good luck! AD, I've heard TSP is good too, for cleaning walls before painting. I asked DH to go to the store and get me some about 3 years ago, he came home with an alternative to TSP saying the store clerk (probably a 7 year old) said TSP was not on the market anymore. HOWEVER, it might not be on the market anymore. I just don't know. I used to work in a woodshop refinishing furniture. There are finish removers/paint removers, some taking an hour or a few hours, scraping it off, sanding it down, then refinishing it. I'd try a wood working shop and product. Just my few thoughts on it. |
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Post by shin on Apr 18, 2016 2:52:54 GMT
I like this idea, I saw a box of the stuff at the local hardware store, and wanted it for adding to my dish detergent anyway! Even if it didn't work on the cabinets I'd still have some other good uses for it. Like cleaning the walls too!  |
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Post by shin on Apr 18, 2016 3:02:13 GMT
I was just upstairs taking off more hinges. This rechargable black and decker screwdriver I got as a gift isn't much good. I had one previously too, a refurb that broke. They don't have the strength to unscrew many screws, and it only came with a flathead bit that is too thick for many of the old screws I have here.
Looks like they used to use flathead screws a whole lot in the past.
I'm looking forwards to getting these cabinets done. I don't have enough containers to organize things. My tools and my food are stored together in the cabinets downstairs, I'd like to get the tools organized and out of there. I'll pick up the TSP on the next trip to the hardware store.. what else was I supposed to pick up there.. I know there was something.. More garden stakes? Once I declutter and get some more organizational furniture finished I'll have to have set place for my notepad. Few folks are as absent minded as me.
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Post by shin on Apr 19, 2016 11:30:38 GMT
The local hardware store didn't have TSP at all!
"Red Devil" brand had "TSP/90" for sale, which the fine print read, wasn't TSP at all, but something else, 'phosphate free'. The big TSP label was a lie. How fitting.
I would up paying a high price for some citrus stuff instead, which hopefully will work. Didn't want to wait, but I'll get some real TSP in future via Internet shopping.
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Post by shin on May 27, 2016 14:35:37 GMT
Didn't like the citrus stuff. You have to use large amounts of it and wait for it to have an effect.. but it dries quickly. And if it dries, it's not working anymore, and becomes a hardened soaked in crust you have to scrub off.
Smelled nice though. If it was a small job maybe.. for cabinets I won't use it again.
Cabinets are now being painted, but the doors still need to be treated.
Liking the oil paint I accidentally picked up a lot better than latex paints.. consistency is a lot easier to work with, and all it takes is two coats and done.
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