Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Strip Varnished Woodwork
Removing layers of dark, heavy varnish from woodwork in a room is a messy but worthwhile project. Sealed with an easy wipe-on tung oil finish coat, the natural wood trim is a refreshing facelift for any room.

To remove varnish from two windows, doors and jambs a painter will charge $110. You can do it for $75, the cost of the materials and a good day's work, pocketing a 30 percent saving.

Spend plenty of preparation time protecting the walls around window and door trim with heavy masking tape and dropcloths. Remove the doors from their hinges and work on them on sawhorses, making sure to protect the surrounding area from splashes of the refinisher.

The materials and gear you'll need include antique refinisher, paint thinner, steel wool, putty knife, refinishing pad, tung oil, heavy rubber gloves and a mask to protect you from the chemical remover and fumes. You'll find them in a home center or paint store.

When the old varnish is removed, rinse off remaining residue with paint thinner and let it dry thoroughly before applying several applications of tung oil to protect the wood.

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