On Fri, 23 Dec 2005 06:43:33 GMT, Stephen Dawson wrote:

"Andy Dingley" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 23 Dec 2005 00:48:01 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

The present one wants it back to natural,

He'll be lucky.

but even after sanding there are
traces of the original stain - and the intricate mouldings make sanding
difficult without damage. Any tips?

Same as any complicated stripping job - you probably have to use a
number of methods in sequence. Try one of the "blanket" strippers if
it's mouldings - something like the usual Nitromors recipe of methanol
and dichloromethane, thickened with cellulose and laid on under a layer
of thick polyethylene. Some of this depends on the stain - pigment
stains will lift off the surface but not out of the pores, dye stains
will be near impossible to shift from oak.

Sandvik also do some nice long-handled scrapers with carbide blades and
a ball handle to apply pressure with,

As a final measure, try oxalic acid bleach to lighten aged oak.

It will be messy but you could also get it sand blasted. One of my customers
is having this done to oak beams.

I had it done on some new ones after stupid builder painted thick varnish
on them..

Came out well, but heavily grained. No trace of varnish left anywhere.