Restore 121 wooden case

[Graham1]

What is the best thing for stripping the varnish off the case and the what do I use to restore finish.
I hope someone can help please

[kevcurr63]

Originally Posted by Graham1

What is the best thing for stripping the varnish off the case and the what do I use to restore finish.
I hope someone can help please

If it helps at all, in the past I often used chemical varnish remover, nitromors or similar especially for hard woods, rather than using a heat gun stripper, inadvertent over use of heat can effect glued joins or even discolour the wood by ‘cooking’ the varnish into the surface. The advantage of the chemical stripper is with a little perseverance it will remove varnish relatively cleanly both from the surface and recesses for hinges and so forth, though it may take more time and several applications.

Use a shave hook always in the same direction of the wood grain, to remove the softened varnish layers, once all the varnish and stripper have been removed, finish with a light sand, then use fine wire wool to buff and remove any small traces in the wood grain.

If the bare wood has patches of age discolouration an amount of judicious even sanding using a fine grade should even out the tone of surface. If you intend to re varnish, I prefer using several coats of solvent based clear varnish, once fully dry then use bees wax, though instead of varnish you could use bees wax directly, either gives a depth to the appearance to wood grain.

[mike_newcomb]

Hi Graham,

have you tried the search facility at the top of the page for 'remove varnish.
It gives many hits.

Also there is a forum here for Cabinet and Chassis Restoration.

Good Luck - Mike

[kevcurr63]

Hi Graham, I also should said I also use the long leading edge of a flexible stainless steel strip as a scraper on larger flat surfaces, it removes varnish much more evenly, much better than a shave hook. But Mike is right there are a number of posts on the forum that would be worth a read.
regards
Kev

[Nickthedentist]

These cases are made from very good quality, solid hardwood so are quite easy to work with.

I used Nitromors + various scrapers/shave hooks and wire wool, and re-finished with wax.

However, you should establish that the original finish is beyond saving before stripping it off!

Nick.

[Dave Moll]

Incidentally, what is a 121? To me it means a wooden wall-mounted telephone. I ask mainly to get an idea of the size and nature of the surfaces involved.

Also, I go along with Nick that stripping existing finish is a last resort ... but we all have different views on such matters - which have been aired in detail on these forums before!

[Nickthedentist]

I assumed it was a phone, Dave, but I could be wrong!

[mike_newcomb]

Hi Graham,

I, and I am sure others, would appreciate some 'before' photos.

And eventually some 'after' ones.

Thanks - Mike

[Graham1]

Many thanks for all your help I am new at this, and want them to look good. They were sold a spare parts. Photo as requested
Regards
Graham