Thanks mate, you have taught me in five minutes what I should have found out via the interweb and 45 minutes looking. You are my new "go to"! I appreciate your help. I aim to renovate a stool made for me by the ships carpenter when I came to NZ from the UK 60+ years ago. Cheers
Thank you, thank you, thank you! How is it that the box stores couldn't tell us about this method? Your method worked brilliantly and you saved a marriage! I am refinishing 100+ year old built-in library shelving and I did not want to loose the beautiful patina. We had sanded 5-6 shelves almost to the bare wood and we had a splotchy gooey mess on our hands. We used the denatured alcohol to clean the shelves and it redistributed the residual shellac beautifully. The shelves look great, we will apply a top coat of yellow shellac once we finish here. Thanks!
Hi Grace, Wonderful to hear. So pleased about the marriage as well. :) Unfortunately they don't tell you because 1. They don't know and 2. Because you won't buy their fancy Toxic, Caustic Paint stripper! Hope it is all good now and ready the support books for another hundred years. Cheers Steve
Glad I came here. I'll try this. I have an old piece of cedar furniture that someone shellaced about 30 years ago. I thought a sander with coarse grain would make quick work of it. It does, but the stuff also just melts and gunks up the paper really quickly.
Around 1.34 I was afraid you were going to grab your cell phone, unknowingly, and throw that across the shed too ...Great video. cheers...rr Normandy, Fra.
Instant follow! Finally someone on YT with some basic old world natural sense & know how (& sense of humor) :) I suspect most of y’all are not on YT bc of its somewhat contradictory to such a temperament. Excited to see the rest of your channel.
Hi Amber, Good pick up, in fact I did use DAA but called it Mentholated Spirits as most people can't buy DAA and Metho is readily available. Works well but DAA does a quicker job. Cheers Steve
I have a 1938 Chickering grand piano that I want to use this technique. Stiripping is a lot of work . Question After you use the steel wool then is it ready for a new coat of shellac? And what kind of shellac do you use ready mixed or the pellets and mix your own up?
Thank you so much, I have a small dresser from 1870-1900, it has knapp joinery and while the finish is in amazing condition it needs cleaning and refreshing. This is the 1st video I've found that makes sense, it doesn't need sanding or stripping but I had no idea what to use. I refinish modern furniture but this old finish needs special care, thanks again.
@@Woodworkingmasterclass my pleasure . As they say with age comes wisdom ,just finished cleaning a 1940's teak dresser i am totally chaffed ,thanks again
Hi Steve, Can you recommend other options than to re-shellac it. I'm restoring my mother's 1940's glory box cabinet, I'm ok taking off the old shellac, but prefer to use sometime else to protect the finish rather than using shellac. thanks
Beautiful! Maybe you can help me? I obtained an old spinning wheel from a friend. It needs some loving care fixing some broken bits, but I first need to clean it. It has a gooey gummy coating. I think it’s old varnish? I’ve tried baby wipes, vinegar and water blend, degreasing dish soap, elbow grease and many colorful words. Nothing seems to clean it off. Do you have any ideas? Stumped in the US.
Try using Denatured Absolute Alcohol (DAA) or your equivalent of what we call Mentholated Spirits. Rub finish using steel wool and the above liquid wipe excess of with a clean rag soaked it it too. Should Work. Cheers Steve
Hi, If you can get some Denatured Absolute Alcohol and 0000 steel wool. If not methylated Spirits will work almost as good. Start off with small areas allow the liquid to sit on top for a minute or so and the in rotary motion rub it with the steel wool. It should they melt and be taken away by the steel wool Repeat as many time as it needs. Hope that helps. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclass Thank you so much for responding. One more question, the piece I have a 6x2 feet table top made out of a rubber wood finger jointed piece. Could using denatured alcohol cause harm to the glue inbetween the finger joints?
I put feed n wax over a shellac piece. I want to remove it so I can put tung oil over the shellac finish. Will this take the wax off if I use something lighter? I don't want to strip the whole piece
Hi Hannah, Not familiar with feed and wax Turps sometimes removes wax. Try it on a small area that is not in full sight to test if it works. Normally with shellac I only buff it lightly with a soft furniture wax. Sorry can't be more help. Cheers Steve
Very good tips and very usefull video for me. I prepare myself for one hunderd year table restoration. Sorry, but methylalcohol is poison and in EU is restricted. Can I use denaturated ethylacohol?
How do you dispose of the steel wool and bits of the old shellac after the job is finished? I ask because I have more experience with mineral spirits with oil based paints where your cloths and brushes need to be dried out before disposing so they don't combust. Is it a similar kind of thing with denatured spirits?
Hi Nysa, Never had a problem like that, just toss them in the bin. The DAA evaporates easily in normal atmospheric conditions so it dries out pretty quickly. Cheers Steve
great video, thank you! We have a 100 year old victorian and want to restore the woodbase and pocket doors but there are nicks, dents and scratches, what would we use to repair those? Wax? Wood filler? and do we take back the shellac to the wood first film the dents and then use the mineral oil to blend it or reshellac the entire piece?
Some photos would help Jason. admin@woodworkingmasterclass.com.au Many times dents can be raised by the use of an warm iron over a wet tea towel. I would take some of the shellac off if it has gone yellowish then effect some repairs and then reconstitute the remaining shellac with DAA. That should even it out and blend the colour. Then use new shellac and French Polish or Varnish it whichever you decide. But some Pics would help. Cheers Steve
Thanks Steve! I'm repairing my Dad's old Stanley #4 plane (almost certainly older than me) which has a cracked handle that I've glued up and now it's grown into a restoration project. :-) This is a useful, simple tip that will see the handles into new life. I'll get onto it tomorrow afternoon!
First WOW! That was so cool. I have an old circa 1913 sewing machine parlour cabinet. Everything is in great shape except for the top which I want to look better. I am pretty sure it is shellac but it has also been stained pretty dark. I like the dark and want to keep it. If I use methylated spirts will it remove the stain too? I have no idea how I would match the colour then. I want to French polish it. My brother was going to teach me but he passed away recently. If I clean with the meth spirits could I start French polishing right after that or do I need to pumice fill ? I am going to check your old videos to see if you have one on French polishing. I trust people like you who have years of experience. Thank you.
Hi Linda, Hope this isn't tp ;ate. Yes the stain will come off the same time as the shellac. You can stain and shellac over the stain. It's a bit tricky though. But there are ways you can chemically stain which seems to work quite well and shellac over that. As sson as it's been clean you can start the French polishing process which is in 4 parts. Filling, Bodying, Pulling, then Spiriting off. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclass Thanks. You are not too late. I am still researching exactly how to do this. I like to thoroughly research things before I do them. You are so kind to help.
@@lindagrieve5795 In anyway I can, I am only to happy to see people gaining new (OLD) skills. French polising is one of those things that you can only experience by doing it wrong until you get it right then you "NEVER" forget :) Cheers Steve
The woodwork in my 1955 home is very orange with a yellowing shellac (?) on top. If i use the metho, I'm assuming it will remove the shellac but the wood will still be orange. I'm willing to first try it on a windowsil that doesnt get seen much. Will I need to apply a new top coat/poly?
Hi Kaitlyn, You will be amazed and the color of the timber underneath, it will be bright and as new. It's only the shellac that has yellowed. If possible I would refinish with shellac as originally done. My experience with poly it that it streaks, it's thick and overtime will still yellow but much harder to remove than shellac. Use some fine 000 steel wool with the metho or it it's really tough start of with #3 or 4 steel wool and finish off with the fine 0000. Cheers Steve
I just removed carpet and exposed the wood floor underneath. When I was cleaning up the stuck on padding with water and a rag, the finish rubbed right off. Would shellac do that? I need to find out what kind of finish it is and I'm not sure testing it to find out if it is varnish or lacquer would work since it's removed with just a wet rag. The carpet was down for about 45 years. The floor is a beautiful deep amber color so I assume it is shellac. I'm hoping it's shellac it will make it so much easier to refinsh. Love your tips!
Hi Rhonda, I would be surprised if it were shellac as it is not a very hard wearing finish. Water would also turn it white, not remove it. My guess would be what you are removing is 45 years of dirt and dust. Not the finish. 45 years ago varnish or Estapol (brand name) would have been the preferred. Prior to that Oil with a Wax polish applied every so often. Not sure that helps but that's all I can offer. Cheers Steve
Hi Steve. I need to clean up an antique china cabinet with a shellac finish and I swear you did a similar video to this one but used a concoction of alcohol, turpentine, and mineral spirits. If that was you, and this has replaced that video, why did you make the change? If you still like that mix, what were the portions of each chemical?
Hi Munsey, Denatured Absolute Alcohol for stripping or blending the Old Finish. Then add a couple of layers of fresh shellac if required. Many times just the cleaning and blendin is enough, if so, finish of with a nice soft cloth and some furniture polish. Should look a million dollars. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclassthanks for the guidance! So, are you saying do NOT clean it with a blend of DAA, turpentine and boiled linseed oil (I was wrong in my OP)? I tried that before, and it seemed to work fine. What are the downsides to that mix? I'm guessing that was not your video that I watched a while ago?
@@munseyslack9709No, not mine, can't remember ever doing that however, I do use Raw linseed oil as a lubricant when french polishing then spirit it off using straight alcohol. I've used Boiled linseed oil as a final finish on other things and sometimes thin it out using Turpentine. As I said I've not used that mix but can't see any harm with it unless something goes wrong. Then I guess it's more work to undo it. Hey, if it has worked for you in the past try it again. Hope that helps. Cheers Steve
Well, I always find that straight metro is way too strong & turns the shellac finish streaky white. Most of the is build-up of old furniture wax & dust. It comes away with water & fine steel wool, though not as easily as with Metho. Metho being alcohol is soluble in water, I have tried mixing them & yes it works a bit faster than just straight water. Of course, you have to mop up the liquid & not let it dry on the surface as it contains dissolved shellac, wax & dust. Either way, it means you have to touch up the finish after cleaning. Nice demo.
Hi Ken, An old technique I used to use years ago when doing restoration work was to actually reconstitute the original finish using that method. The nif it required it I could add new shellac to the top or just pull the original finish as it is. Cheers Steve
So glad I found this. And after reading comments, I see that I have some of the American-ized version DA. I'm attempting to strip an antique desk and with sanding it just keeps gumming/corning. I'd probably have to go through 100 pads. Do you think this method would help prior to sanding, so I can smooth some of the bigger "imperfections" (like where my daughter has etched her name 🙄)
Hi Ashley, Kids! gotta love 'em. If the marks are indents only then wetting them will raise them up and you can get rid of them. However, if the wood fibers have been cut or broken. Then consider them as part of the History of the piece. I seldom will sand back a finish if I can melt it off using DAA. As a by-product it saves a lot of time and effort filling the wood grain when you want to apply a new finish. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclass I'm actually sort of OK with the character it will bring. Went out and bought some steel wool today, the 3M pad was a gummy mess. Thanks so much for this! Was very, very useful!
@@ashleybaldwin9553 Wish I was there to see your expression. It's wonderful when something good happens from an unexpected source. I remember doing something similar for my Mum, She had some marks on a piece of furniture that had upset her for many years and in the blink of an eye it was fixed. Took a lot to impress her, but that bit of magic certainly did. Thanks for letting me know the outcome. Cheers Steve
This did not happen for me, mine turned a nasty opaque white colour. It is on a 1937 sewing machine cabinet. It now looks worse and rough as guts, take his advice and test it on an inconspicuous area first even if you are 99% certain that it is shellac.
@@alisonaussie4995 Do you have a heat gun? If so gently wave it over the clouded areas and it should became clear again. Caution don't let it hover over one area for to long or it can crinkle the finish. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclass thanks, it’s beyond crinkling, there just islands of finish left on there, I’m thinking it can’t be shellac but some kind of heavy in shellac lacquer
@@alisonaussie4995 If you have a cabinet card scraper it should move it OK. If not, be gentle, with a good paint scraper that might do the job. Cheers Steve
Hello, I watch your channel from Germany and am always enthusiastic about her expertise! In this video I unfortunately did not understand which liquid you are using next to the steel wool. If I have the name in writing, I can easily translate it! Thank you for your help! Kuno
Methylated Spirits is denatured alcohol or ethanol with methanol and denaturing agents added to make it poisonous and unpalatable to drink. I've heard Steve refer to it as "d-double - a", also.
Thanks mate, you have taught me in five minutes what I should have found out via the interweb and 45 minutes looking.
You are my new "go to"! I appreciate your help. I aim to renovate a stool made for me by the ships carpenter when I came to NZ from the UK 60+ years ago. Cheers
Hi Iain, Sorry overlooked your comment. Hope the Stool turned out well. Thanks for the feedback appreciate it. Cheers Steve
Thank you, thank you, thank you! How is it that the box stores couldn't tell us about this method? Your method worked brilliantly and you saved a marriage! I am refinishing 100+ year old built-in library shelving and I did not want to loose the beautiful patina. We had sanded 5-6 shelves almost to the bare wood and we had a splotchy gooey mess on our hands. We used the denatured alcohol to clean the shelves and it redistributed the residual shellac beautifully. The shelves look great, we will apply a top coat of yellow shellac once we finish here. Thanks!
Hi Grace, Wonderful to hear. So pleased about the marriage as well. :) Unfortunately they don't tell you because 1. They don't know and 2. Because you won't buy their fancy Toxic, Caustic Paint stripper! Hope it is all good now and ready the support books for another hundred years. Cheers Steve
Are you saying "methane"?
Hi Randall, No Metho, Sort for methylated spirits. Cheers Steve
Glad I came here. I'll try this. I have an old piece of cedar furniture that someone shellaced about 30 years ago. I thought a sander with coarse grain would make quick work of it. It does, but the stuff also just melts and gunks up the paper really quickly.
Around 1.34 I was afraid you were going to grab your cell phone, unknowingly, and throw that across the shed too ...Great video. cheers...rr Normandy, Fra.
There are times I would like to Richard! Cheers Steve
Instant follow! Finally someone on YT with some basic old world natural sense & know how (& sense of humor) :) I suspect most of y’all are not on YT bc of its somewhat contradictory to such a temperament. Excited to see the rest of your channel.
Nice informative vid Steve! When you said that table was over 100 I though "Damn, that's almost as old as Steve is!" 😃😃😃
Nearly, not quite, I think I have a couple of decades on it Boz. Cheers Steve
Really, really interesting, Stephen!!! Thanks a lot for the tip! 😃
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Hii MC, Getting back into he swing of things now. Stay safe and well yourself. Cheers Steve
Why use spirits instead of denature alcohol?
Hi Amber, Good pick up, in fact I did use DAA but called it Mentholated Spirits as most people can't buy DAA and Metho is readily available. Works well but DAA does a quicker job. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclass Hi, thank you very much, and for the quick reply. :) Have a good day.
Metha? What did he use? Thx sorry I’m a bit deaf
Hi Steve, Metho, Metholated Spirits. Cheers Steve
I have a 1938 Chickering grand piano that I want to use this technique. Stiripping is a lot of work . Question After you use the steel wool then is it ready for a new coat of shellac? And what kind of shellac do you use ready mixed or the pellets and mix your own up?
Thank you so much, I have a small dresser from 1870-1900, it has knapp joinery and while the finish is in amazing condition it needs cleaning and refreshing. This is the 1st video I've found that makes sense, it doesn't need sanding or stripping but I had no idea what to use. I refinish modern furniture but this old finish needs special care, thanks again.
Brilliant thanks it woorks awesome
Pleased I was able to help. Thanks for letting me know. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclass my pleasure . As they say with age comes wisdom ,just finished cleaning a 1940's teak dresser i am totally chaffed ,thanks again
thanks! More short tricks please :)
I'll see what I can do Magnus. Cheers Steve
What cause the alligator skin texture in old finishes and is the the way to restore it?
Hi Steve, Can you recommend other options than to re-shellac it. I'm restoring my mother's 1940's glory box cabinet, I'm ok taking off the old shellac, but prefer to use sometime else to protect the finish rather than using shellac. thanks
Hi Meshel, An Oil finish with a good wax polish would make it come up a treat. Cheers Steve
Beautiful! Maybe you can help me? I obtained an old spinning wheel from a friend. It needs some loving care fixing some broken bits, but I first need to clean it. It has a gooey gummy coating. I think it’s old varnish? I’ve tried baby wipes, vinegar and water blend, degreasing dish soap, elbow grease and many colorful words. Nothing seems to clean it off. Do you have any ideas? Stumped in the US.
Try using Denatured Absolute Alcohol (DAA) or your equivalent of what we call Mentholated Spirits. Rub finish using steel wool and the above liquid wipe excess of with a clean rag soaked it it too. Should Work. Cheers Steve
Hi, if you are still replying to comments, could you maybe give me some advice on how to remove button lac?
Hi, If you can get some Denatured Absolute Alcohol and 0000 steel wool. If not methylated Spirits will work almost as good. Start off with small areas allow the liquid to sit on top for a minute or so and the in rotary motion rub it with the steel wool. It should they melt and be taken away by the steel wool Repeat as many time as it needs. Hope that helps. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclass Thank you so much for responding. One more question, the piece I have a 6x2 feet table top made out of a rubber wood finger jointed piece. Could using denatured alcohol cause harm to the glue inbetween the finger joints?
@@abpanchali1GizmoGround Hi Sorry for late reply. Short answer in No. Glue is water soluble there for DAA won't affect it. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclass Thank you so much for your advice. I genuinely appreciate it. Subcribed.
Very good tips. However, I could not understand the name of the solvent.
Would you spell it out for me. Thanks,
Hi Michael, DAA, Denatured Absolute Alcohol or Methylated Spirits. Cheers Steve
I put feed n wax over a shellac piece. I want to remove it so I can put tung oil over the shellac finish. Will this take the wax off if I use something lighter? I don't want to strip the whole piece
Hi Hannah, Not familiar with feed and wax Turps sometimes removes wax. Try it on a small area that is not in full sight to test if it works. Normally with shellac I only buff it lightly with a soft furniture wax. Sorry can't be more help. Cheers Steve
Very good tips and very usefull video for me. I prepare myself for one hunderd year table restoration. Sorry, but methylalcohol is poison and in EU is restricted. Can I use denaturated ethylacohol?
Hi Vladimir, I honestly don't know never used it before. But see if it works on a test piece or a part of the job that can't be seen. Cheers Steve
What is the liquid?.....I couldn't understand what he said?
Hi Gordon, Denatured Absolute Alcohol. Cheers Steve
How do you dispose of the steel wool and bits of the old shellac after the job is finished? I ask because I have more experience with mineral spirits with oil based paints where your cloths and brushes need to be dried out before disposing so they don't combust. Is it a similar kind of thing with denatured spirits?
Hi Nysa, Never had a problem like that, just toss them in the bin. The DAA evaporates easily in normal atmospheric conditions so it dries out pretty quickly. Cheers Steve
great video, thank you! We have a 100 year old victorian and want to restore the woodbase and pocket doors but there are nicks, dents and scratches, what would we use to repair those? Wax? Wood filler? and do we take back the shellac to the wood first film the dents and then use the mineral oil to blend it or reshellac the entire piece?
Some photos would help Jason. admin@woodworkingmasterclass.com.au
Many times dents can be raised by the use of an warm iron over a wet tea towel. I would take some of the shellac off if it has gone yellowish then effect some repairs and then reconstitute the remaining shellac with DAA. That should even it out and blend the colour. Then use new shellac and French Polish or Varnish it whichever you decide. But some Pics would help. Cheers Steve
what would i polish with after ?
What was that liquid he poured on the table I couldn't understand what he said
Hi Glen, Denatured Absolute Alcohol or Methylated Spirits. Cheers Steve
Dont throw that chisel. Lol. Thanks for the video. I needed to take finishing off my project and this was very helpful.
Pleased were were able to help. Cheers Steve
Thanks Steve! I'm repairing my Dad's old Stanley #4 plane (almost certainly older than me) which has a cracked handle that I've glued up and now it's grown into a restoration project. :-) This is a useful, simple tip that will see the handles into new life. I'll get onto it tomorrow afternoon!
Hi Jason, Sorry for late reply just noticed your post. Hope the plane turned out how you wanted it to be., Cheers Steve
First WOW! That was so cool. I have an old circa 1913 sewing machine parlour cabinet. Everything is in great shape except for the top which I want to look better. I am pretty sure it is shellac but it has also been stained pretty dark. I like the dark and want to keep it. If I use methylated spirts will it remove the stain too? I have no idea how I would match the colour then. I want to French polish it. My brother was going to teach me but he passed away recently. If I clean with the meth spirits could I start French polishing right after that or do I need to pumice fill ? I am going to check your old videos to see if you have one on French polishing. I trust people like you who have years of experience. Thank you.
Hi Linda, Hope this isn't tp ;ate. Yes the stain will come off the same time as the shellac. You can stain and shellac over the stain. It's a bit tricky though. But there are ways you can chemically stain which seems to work quite well and shellac over that. As sson as it's been clean you can start the French polishing process which is in 4 parts. Filling, Bodying, Pulling, then Spiriting off. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclass Thanks. You are not too late. I am still researching exactly how to do this. I like to thoroughly research things before I do them. You are so kind to help.
@@lindagrieve5795 In anyway I can, I am only to happy to see people gaining new (OLD) skills. French polising is one of those things that you can only experience by doing it wrong until you get it right then you "NEVER" forget :) Cheers Steve
The woodwork in my 1955 home is very orange with a yellowing shellac (?) on top. If i use the metho, I'm assuming it will remove the shellac but the wood will still be orange.
I'm willing to first try it on a windowsil that doesnt get seen much. Will I need to apply a new top coat/poly?
Hi Kaitlyn, You will be amazed and the color of the timber underneath, it will be bright and as new. It's only the shellac that has yellowed. If possible I would refinish with shellac as originally done. My experience with poly it that it streaks, it's thick and overtime will still yellow but much harder to remove than shellac. Use some fine 000 steel wool with the metho or it it's really tough start of with #3 or 4 steel wool and finish off with the fine 0000. Cheers Steve
Can you paint wood after using denatured alcohol to strip shellac that has alligatored
@@atltrapp I can't see any reason why not. Cheers Steve
I just removed carpet and exposed the wood floor underneath. When I was cleaning up the stuck on padding with water and a rag, the finish rubbed right off. Would shellac do that? I need to find out what kind of finish it is and I'm not sure testing it to find out if it is varnish or lacquer would work since it's removed with just a wet rag. The carpet was down for about 45 years. The floor is a beautiful deep amber color so I assume it is shellac. I'm hoping it's shellac it will make it so much easier to refinsh. Love your tips!
Hi Rhonda, I would be surprised if it were shellac as it is not a very hard wearing finish. Water would also turn it white, not remove it. My guess would be what you are removing is 45 years of dirt and dust. Not the finish. 45 years ago varnish or Estapol (brand name) would have been the preferred. Prior to that Oil with a Wax polish applied every so often. Not sure that helps but that's all I can offer. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclass Thank you so much for your help.
Hi Steve. I need to clean up an antique china cabinet with a shellac finish and I swear you did a similar video to this one but used a concoction of alcohol, turpentine, and mineral spirits. If that was you, and this has replaced that video, why did you make the change? If you still like that mix, what were the portions of each chemical?
Hi Munsey, Denatured Absolute Alcohol for stripping or blending the Old Finish. Then add a couple of layers of fresh shellac if required. Many times just the cleaning and blendin is enough, if so, finish of with a nice soft cloth and some furniture polish. Should look a million dollars. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclassthanks for the guidance! So, are you saying do NOT clean it with a blend of DAA, turpentine and boiled linseed oil (I was wrong in my OP)? I tried that before, and it seemed to work fine. What are the downsides to that mix? I'm guessing that was not your video that I watched a while ago?
@@munseyslack9709No, not mine, can't remember ever doing that however, I do use Raw linseed oil as a lubricant when french polishing then spirit it off using straight alcohol. I've used Boiled linseed oil as a final finish on other things and sometimes thin it out using Turpentine. As I said I've not used that mix but can't see any harm with it unless something goes wrong. Then I guess it's more work to undo it. Hey, if it has worked for you in the past try it again. Hope that helps. Cheers Steve
Well, I always find that straight metro is way too strong & turns the shellac finish streaky white. Most of the is build-up of old furniture wax & dust. It comes away with water & fine steel wool, though not as easily as with Metho. Metho being alcohol is soluble in water, I have tried mixing them & yes it works a bit faster than just straight water. Of course, you have to mop up the liquid & not let it dry on the surface as it contains dissolved shellac, wax & dust. Either way, it means you have to touch up the finish after cleaning. Nice demo.
Hi Ken, An old technique I used to use years ago when doing restoration work was to actually reconstitute the original finish using that method. The nif it required it I could add new shellac to the top or just pull the original finish as it is. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclass OK, thanks for the advice. Maybe I need more practice.
@@kenwebster5053 Every project is practice as far as I'm concerned. Then sometimes they turn out well and that's a Job! :) Cheers Steve
Love the flap disc. Imagine if someone actually tried!
Hi Fred. Bit of filler work I think? :) Cheers Steve
what is he using (alcohol)?
Hi Jill, Yes Denatured Absolute Alcohol. You can also use, what we call, Methylated Spirits. Cheers Steve
Hey from NC Steve! Would you please tell me what you used? I apologize but I can’t quite understand what you’re saying☺️Thank you😊
Methylated spirits but in the u.s. we call it Denatured alcohol
@@bca2070 😃Thank you SO very much!
I’ll get some and try it tomorrow 👍🏻
Hi Diana, Denatured Absolute Alcohol. Methylated spirits is not as pure but will still work well. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclass Thank you Steve! New subscriber here😃
I appreciate your content and hearing from you!☺️Thank you!!!
So glad I found this. And after reading comments, I see that I have some of the American-ized version DA. I'm attempting to strip an antique desk and with sanding it just keeps gumming/corning. I'd probably have to go through 100 pads. Do you think this method would help prior to sanding, so I can smooth some of the bigger "imperfections" (like where my daughter has etched her name 🙄)
Hi Ashley, Kids! gotta love 'em. If the marks are indents only then wetting them will raise them up and you can get rid of them. However, if the wood fibers have been cut or broken. Then consider them as part of the History of the piece. I seldom will sand back a finish if I can melt it off using DAA. As a by-product it saves a lot of time and effort filling the wood grain when you want to apply a new finish. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclass I'm actually sort of OK with the character it will bring. Went out and bought some steel wool today, the 3M pad was a gummy mess. Thanks so much for this! Was very, very useful!
@@Woodworkingmasterclass so, what you said about wetting the markings.... oh my gawd! Everything disappeared! Wild! Had no idea. Thank you!
@@ashleybaldwin9553 Wish I was there to see your expression. It's wonderful when something good happens from an unexpected source. I remember doing something similar for my Mum, She had some marks on a piece of furniture that had upset her for many years and in the blink of an eye it was fixed. Took a lot to impress her, but that bit of magic certainly did. Thanks for letting me know the outcome. Cheers Steve
This did not happen for me, mine turned a nasty opaque white colour. It is on a 1937 sewing machine cabinet. It now looks worse and rough as guts, take his advice and test it on an inconspicuous area first even if you are 99% certain that it is shellac.
Hi Alison, Send me a pic if you like, sounds like it still could be shellac but a lot thicker layer.
admin@woodworkingmaterclass.com.au Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclass I rubbed pale boiled linseed oil into it, it sort of helped it there are still white areas.
@@alisonaussie4995 Do you have a heat gun? If so gently wave it over the clouded areas and it should became clear again. Caution don't let it hover over one area for to long or it can crinkle the finish. Cheers Steve
@@Woodworkingmasterclass thanks, it’s beyond crinkling, there just islands of finish left on there, I’m thinking it can’t be shellac but some kind of heavy in shellac lacquer
@@alisonaussie4995 If you have a cabinet card scraper it should move it OK. If not, be gentle, with a good paint scraper that might do the job. Cheers Steve
Thank You !!
Thanks for the feedback Lynda and you are most welcome. Cheers Steve
Hello, I watch your channel from Germany and am always enthusiastic about her expertise! In this video I unfortunately did not understand which liquid you are using next to the steel wool. If I have the name in writing, I can easily translate it! Thank you for your help! Kuno
i was wondering the same, maybe methallyl alcool?
Methylated Spirits is denatured alcohol or ethanol with methanol and denaturing agents added to make it poisonous and unpalatable to drink. I've heard Steve refer to it as "d-double - a", also.
@@fbicknel Thank You!
@@leoseyers ThankYou!
All correct DAA is DENATURED Absolute Alcohol. But mentholated spirits will do as well. Cheers Steve
Nice tip!
Thanks. hope it works well for you too. Cheers Steve
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