although the wood looks good the finish is in bas shape and has to be
removed completely. Unfortunately, I don't know what the original finish is
and what wood is.

"MikeG" wrote in message
ews.com...
In article ,
says...
I just bough an antique hutch that is in good condition except finish. I
want to completely strip old finish and then put new finish that I have
not
decided yet which one. I never stripped finish from old furniture, what
the
best way to do this?



Antique and strip, now there are two words that are a bit scary when
used together.

Just for FYI in case you weren't aware of it, stripping an antique, for
that matter messing with the original finish in just about any way will
just about completely destroy any value the piece has as an antique.

Without knowing more about the construction of the piece and what the
original finish is it is difficult to give good advice on stripping a
finish. If I were you I would, at the least, have someone who is
familiar with such things look at the piece before you leap into
anything using the advice you get on line.

With due respect to the posters replying to this post, well meant advice
can get you into deep doo doo. Even appropriate advice can do it.

IE The two easiest ways are probably chemical stripper and or heat.
Unfortunately, should the piece be made with veneer and or hide glue,
either or both of these options could have adverse effects on veneer and
or the joints of the piece. The same with power sanding. Veneer is very
easy to sand through.

If I were inclined to give advice on a piece I haven't seen it would be
to go the most laborious route of using a card scraper and hand sanding.

What ever method you choose to use, be conservative in it's application
and go slowly.




--
MikeG
Heirloom Woods
www.heirloom-woods.net