Victorian Table top to strip

[load2go]

Hi, I bought a Victorian extending dining table earlier today at auction, I want to strip the top of the table back to the bare wood and then wax.

Has anyone any advise on what would be the easiest way to do this?
I'm thinking some sort of paint stripper then sand back to a smooth finish.
Whats the best paint/varnish stripper on the market to buy?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jacob]

Yer ordinary Wilko type stripper (replacement for Nitromors) works quite well. I wouldn't sand though.

 

[load2go]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Dont know why I thought it would need sanding.

 

[Matt@]

yes! dont go anywhere near it with sandpaper!! Best as in most effective stripper are the old DCM based ones now not available to the general public. The new eco stripper sare safe but horrible to use and can stain the wood. Best to have a friendly word with a local furniture restorer and see if you can cadge some of the old type stripper which restorers can still buy..

 

[AndyT]

If it's really Victorian then the finish is probably French polish and would come off with meths. Powerful chemical strippers would only be needed for more modern, more durable finishes. Try it out on the underside somewhere and see what works. Use a kitchen type scouring pad and a paint scraper.

 

[Jacob]

I use handfuls of PT shavings rubbed over (wearing rubber gloves). It soaks it up and makes it easier to clean off.
I think you'll probably need a stripper as there will be linseed in there too. They don't have any effect on the wood, quite gentle in fact and leaves a nice natural finish (if you haven't scraped/sanded etc).

 

[load2go]

Thanks for all the good advice.
Table is now striped back to the bare mahogany altho there is a black ring left right in the centre. I think it could be ink.

The legs I'm going to paint with F & B. What would you recommend I put back on the table top? I was going to just give it two coats of clear wax, not sure it that would be ok to finish it off.

Thanks agin for all the info, I have three writing slopes I'm going to start and restore soon.

 

[Jacob]

Top - raw linseed oil (half n half with turps). Rub it in thinly and do another coat in a week or so. You get a lovely rich colour (depending on the wood) and a nice polished but durable finish. Ignore the black ring.
Legs - F&B is just "paint" there's nothing special about it - any old paint will do, ignore the marketing hype!

 

[load2go]

Top - raw linseed oil (half n half with turps). Rub it in thinly and do another coat in a week or so. You get a lovely rich colour (depending on the wood) and a nice polished but durable finish. Ignore the black ring.
Legs - F&B is just "paint" there's nothing special about it - any old paint will do, ignore the marketing hype!

Thanks Jacob, Would you use a clear wax after?