[woodworking] help me refinish some just-stripped wood

[mrbigstuff]

I stripped paint off a mahogany (?) wood newel post and now I need to take off the "light" stuff that remains. It's mostly down to the wood but there is a hazy bit of paint left and some of the wood will need to be sanded to get it to a satisfactory refinishing smoothness. The complicating factor is that this is a highly "turned" post so I'm into all of the little crevices and indents; fortunately, they're all round.

What would you do first? Rub with mineral spirits to bring out some of the fibers and dust? Then sand with a medium grit? Rub with a pad (since this is a turned post)? Is there a specific method for doing this that you think would work?

(I'll be back with more questions later)

[Mike Johnson]

I would use sanding tape or cord for those cracks and crevices. Places like Rockler and Woodcraft carry that. Or, cut some cloth-backed paper into thin strips.

I'd probably use sanding sponges on the relatively flat areas. I'd start at 100 grit, then work up to 220, vacuuming between grits. It's hard to say not knowing exactly what type of wood it is, or what finish you'll be applying.

[cbelt3]

I've always gotten down to steel wool for odds and sods... #1, then #0, then #000. It works a treat.

[mrbigstuff]

true, I neglected to include steel wool. getting harder to find in the home box stores, have to go to the specialty shops methinks.

[OWC Jamie]

sounds like you could wrap sandpaper around a dowel rather than rolling it unto a tube or folding paper like you might for crevices.


might wash with stripper and steel wool and then rinse with mineral spirits and steel wool.
I'd avoid raising the grain unless the stripper has already done that.

[NewtonMP2100]

....STRIP.....????

.....WOOD.....???


......you can leave your hat on.....?????

[Paul F.]

I had the same problem finding a selection of steel wool... and picked up some plastic scrubby pads in different grits. They worked very well!

Red pad was the coarse, white the finest.

That, and wiping down with mineral spirits to pick up the dust should do it.
Or at least provide a good start.