How to Remove Varnish & Shellac

News

Floors and furniture, especially older pieces, were often finished with either varnish or shellac. Often, these finishes are damaged and need refinishing or you may just want to redo the floor or furniture into a fresher-looking modern finish.

Older furniture may have either a shellac or varnish finish.

Things You Will Need

+
  • Measuring spoons and cups
  • Saucepan
  • Flour
  • Lye
  • Spoon
  • Rubber gloves
  • Clean soft cloths or rags
  • Paint scraper

You can buy commercial strippers for this task at any hardware store or you can make your own.

  • Pour one qt. of water into a saucepan. Add 16 tbsps. of flour to the water.

  • Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly until thick.

  • Remove from the heat and allow the starchy solution to cool.

  • Put on rubber gloves and measure 5 tbsp. lye into the solution. Stir to dissolve.

  • Apply the paste to the area where you wish to remove the finish, using a clean, soft cloth.

  • Allow the paste to remain on the piece until the varnish or shellac softens. This may take up to 25 minutes.

  • Scrape off the paste and the softened finish using a thin paint scraper. Take care not to dig into the wood.

  • Repeat this process until all shellac or varnish is removed.

  • Rinse the wood with a mixture of one cup vinegar and one gallon of water. Rinse several times with plain water.

    • Tip

    Shellac can sometimes be removed using denatured alcohol. Wipe the area, using 000 steel wool, with the alcohol and allow the shellac to soften. Always work with the grain of the wood.

    ncG1vNJzZmign6KytMDEmpuyZpOkunB9kW1pcWxhanypu9Zmq6hlopq6sMLEZq2aqp6ewKl50qGcpaSRmA%3D%3D