Stripping (again!)

[Maf]

I have some reclaimed pitch pine beams in an extension that links my house with the barn.

They've been painted with gloss as the PO could not be bothered to restore them. I've had them stripped in situ (heat then abbrasion) at great cost but they still need some work.

There's a strange light brown coating to some areas that fouls sandpaper something rotten. The only thing I can compare it to is from the days when I once had to strip an old VW camper that had been 'waxoiled' with old engine oil and other such crap ! Nothing on earth would shift this stuff apart from 'Boots' (and only Boots) nail varnish remover !

Any thoughts on what th substance could be and how to remove it ?

Cheers

 

[Penners]

how to remove it ?

How about Boots nail varnish remover?

I'm being flippant, of course, but not entirely. The only thing you can really do is to try some test areas with any kind of solvent that crosses your mind (including nail varnish remover - otherwise known as acetone or cellulose thinners).

Alternatively, if you can manage to get a few flakes of the mystery stuff off, I should try sending them to Strippers of Sudbury and ask whether they have a formula that will remove the stuff.

The page I have linked to above will give you an idea of the wide range of strippers that they make.

 

[chuckey]

I have come across that stuff. I came to the conclusion that my piece of wood was originaly waxed before it was painted. Its the heat from the friction that is re-melting it as it appeared from cracks where wax might have accumalated, while on flat surfaces, the top layer of wood complete with its wax is removed by my power sander.
Frank

 

[Penners]

I do urge you to try and remove the finish without removing any of the wood, if you can. It's a great shame to remove the patina of age and the historic fabric, however thin.