Removing old lacquer and staining coffee table

[switched]

Hi guys,

I have a coffee table that is of pine construction, and has 4 turned legs. I believe it hasn't been stained, but just had a few sprays of lacquer on it. Its quite nice, well constructed (built by my brother who comes from a woodworking background) but unfortunately isnt in the same colour scheme as the rest of my house.

What i would like to do is strip the lacquer off, restain it and finish it off nicely.
Now, how is the removal of the lacquer best done? Via sanding? What about the turned legs?

[petersemple]

I would probably use stripper first and a bit of a sand afterwards. I also have another idea, but I can't guarantee how well it would work. Maybe someone else can comment or you can try on a hidden bit first. If the surface is still in good nick, maybe it would work to just spray on a few coats of the clear finish with stain mixed in. From memory you can find it pre-mixed if necessary. Normally when applying this stuff I would put down a few clear coats first anyway.

Peter

Peter

[switched]

Thanks Peter, I will look into the stripper. Can you or anybody else tell me a suitable product to remove the lacquer/varnish from? Would it help if I were to post a pic?
I havent done anything remotely like this before so would love a little input if anyone could point me in the right direction
Thanks

[switched]

Guys, Just found out it is polyurthene (sp?).. How would this best be removed?

[ubeaut]

Set fire to it.........http://www.ubeaut.biz/fireman.gif:blowup:

Most strippers don't like to strip off poly. You might do yourself a favour as a novice and save a few headaches by taking it to a professional stripper.

Don't try to spray over the surface as you have no idea what has been used on it and could cause an even bigger headache for yourself.

Cheers - Neil :U
"A Polishers Handbook (http://www.ubeaut.com.au/book.html)"

[Chipman]

If you decide to do it yourself.....

Poly can be taken off with one of those citrus based strippers. Allow it to stand for awhile and then use a scrapper. The legs can have the goop taken off with one of those plastic scourers (will need to rinse it off often with water!) It may take several applications too. Don't forget the gloves and do it in a well ventilated place.

Give it all a good clean (there is a solution you can buy to help neutralise and clean off the stripper) Everything must be thoroughly cleaned and then allowed to dry.

When thoroughly dried, start with the sanding and however you want to finish it. (Depending on if and how it has been stained, you will need to pay attention to how you do it or it my turn out patchy especially on the legs where it will be hard to sand and may also destroy the sharpness of any turned features))

Lot of work but if it is important to you, either you do it yourself or send it of to the professionals.

Regards
Chipman