Stripper won't strip!

[Chris]

The title sounds like I had a bad Friday night.

So I am in the process of trying to remove layers of old paint off a piece of pine furniture that my mom left to me. I am using chemicals because I don't want to ruin any of the wood. The top couple layers came right off with no issue. I am down to a green color probably from the 70's that the chemicals will not take off. Is there another type of chemical that might work or am I forced to sand it?

 

[oldognewtrick]

What type of stripper did you use? If you have a Porter or Sherman-Williams, you might try taking it down there and see if they have anything that they'd suggest.

 

[nealtw]

tuck more $ in here waist band

 

[oldognewtrick]

tuck more $ in here waist band

Ha ha. .....😏

 

[nealtw]

Lacquer Finishes ,maybe
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-remove-lacquer-finishes-from-furniture#b

 

[slownsteady]

Goof Off and other latex paint removers prob won't work. I've had good luck with Zip-Strip on old paint. I know there are other brand names in the same league, but can't think of names.

Another option I just remembered: heat gun

 

[DFBonnett]

Some of the "safe" strippers don't really work on alkyds, especially the older ones. In this situation I'd be using a stripper with methylene chloride as the active ingredient. If you get the water wash type, be aware that it will raise a nap on the wood but that is easily dealt with by a light sanding with a fine grit paper when dry. Wear appropriate skin and eye protection.
FWIW
YMMV

 

[GeselleBrian]

Anything alkaline will work on alkyd/oil in high enough concentration.
However, alkalines can react with tannic acid in some hard woods leaving black spots.

Try a heat gun, or up the pH by using ammonia mixed with wallpaper paste or other thickener