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 Removing old varnish
Author: John Peacock 
Date:   2012-11-14 10:36

Does anyone have experience with varnish removal? I just acquired a Buffet from perhaps 1880 (judging by keywork and lack of a serial number), and it was varnished at some point. The varnish has come off in places so it looks rather ugly, but the grenadilla underneath looks like lovely wood, so I'm motivated to clean the instrument up. Based on a small test patch, nail-varnish remover doesn't work, but paint stripper does. I'm just a bit concerned that strong caustic of this sort will damage the wood, so I wonder if there is any strategy for minimizing such damage beyond leaving the stripper on for the minimum time, washing thoroughly with soap and then oiling. Thanks in advance for any advice.
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 Re: Removing old varnish
Author: The Doctor ★2017
Date:   2012-11-14 21:40

Some of the citrus based paint removers (containing limolene) can be found at the hardware store. These paint removers in my experience are milder and better for the wood - do not remove a whole bunch of oil - than organic solvent based strippers. The keywork should be removed and once stripped the wood should be cleaned with a water based cleaner and finally with a clean water damp cloth. After drying overnight the wood should be oiled. I have stripped a number of Eastern European clarinets coated with black varnish this way and the results have been good. Hope this helps.
L. Omar Henderson
new web sites for www.doctorsprod.com and www.chedevillemp.com
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 Re: Removing old varnish
Author: Tony F 
Date:   2012-11-15 03:22

I've successfully removed old varnish using a cleaning agent called Citroclean and very fine steel wool. Wear protective gloves and don't get the cleaning agent on hard rubber components. It's good for cleaning old cruddy bores as well. Wash off with cold water. The clarinet will need oiling, as it is a very fine degreasing agent.

Tony F.
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