Thanks for the helpful reply. I am not a refinishing professional, as I
imagine that many people on this ng are, so I guess my comments came off
as hugely uninformed. The piece is shaker style, with two side-by-side
drawers sitting above two full length drawers. Keylocks on all 4 drawers.

There were three coats of paint. White overlying blue overlying bright
red. Patriotic previous owners, I guess. Plus, lots of candle wax.

My intention when I got this piece was not to preserve an antique; I'm
not competent to judge its age / value / worth. My intent was simply to
do a good job getting the paint off and putting a nice clear finish on.

Thanks again for the insightful suggestions, they are appreciated.

D.

The people around these parts are likely tired of hearing me harp on
this, but, it is difficult to give advice without seeing the piece. In
this case, you have already stripped off the white paint, be it good or
bad. I would assume you used the same method most do, by pouring the
goopy stuff all over and scraping it off. By doing this, there is likely
little more you could do to the piece that would harm it more. However,
the advice of how to proceed depends greatly on where you want end up,
and where the piece should end up. A photo of the piece helps, however
you should get someone to look at it if it is at all old. It would be
all too easy to recommend aggressive mechanical means, only later to
find the paint was sticking to some important architectural feature or
landmark on the piece.

Generally speaking, in my world the following rules work well:

1. It is always easier to add effort than to take it away.
2. It is easier to darken something than lighten it.
3. Age and patina on a piece that gives it value is really dirt and
grime. Do you really want to clean it?
4. Paint has been around a very long time. How old is this paint you
want to take off?
5. When in doubt, have it checked out.

Paint finishes make me uncomfortable. Pine and some oak furniture from
the mid 1800's was finished with an opaque finish most call "paint".
Earlier pieces were painted inside. This original paint is often
mistaken for some recoat from the 60's or 70's. I have had the
unpleasant experience of telling someone the red paint they stripped
off a pine linen press was likely worth more than the piece itself.
Refinishers will not charge a great deal to look at your piece; please
get this done before stripping away with the goopy stuff...


C.