Sanding Old Varnish

JALL · Post by **JALL** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 6:54 am

I have a lot of trouble sanding the varnish and stain on the deck. Seems the best way for me is to use a stipper first and then sand. Any ideas??? Thanks

240sxguy · Post by **240sxguy** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:04 am

Are you attempting to strip the boat back to bare wood? Definitely want to do that with a chemical stripper. As mentioned lots of times here before, be really careful when sanding so you don't break through the veneer.

JALL · Post by **JALL** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:48 am

Yes 240sxguy I have many spots where the varnish and stain seem to be lifted up and bare wood is exposed. These are next to spots that look good. I think I need to get the whole deck down to bare wood and start over with stain and then varnish. Thanks for the tip!

Phill Blank · Post by **Phill Blank** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 12:07 pm

JALL,

Stripping to bare wood and then restaining and varnishing are the way to go.
Try one of the citrus strippers and see how it goes. You can aways go back to a good old coustic stripper if that does not work if you are doing the work out side or with very good ventilation.

Good Luck,

Phill

JALL · Post by **JALL** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 4:03 pm

I used Citristrip today and it seems to work fine. Thanks

240sxguy · Post by **240sxguy** » Thu Dec 16, 2010 9:52 am

Jall, where are you at in WI? Just curious. I actually like using citristrip.

JALL · Post by **JALL** » Thu Dec 16, 2010 2:03 pm

240sxguy, I'm in Presque Isle. That's about 2 miles from the UP Border.

240sxguy · Post by **240sxguy** » Fri Dec 17, 2010 2:19 pm

We have a place about 45 minutes from you, I have been to Presque Isle before.. beautiful country. My dad attended NMU.

vernonfarmer · Post by **vernonfarmer** » Sun Dec 26, 2010 12:27 pm

I've used a product called Star 10 to strip varnish and stain from my wood deck. Works great and is non toxic. Don't even need rubber gloves.
http://www.starten.com/