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My neighbor swore by a vinegar wash for stripping old finish and I gave it a shot
She told me to mix white vinegar with warm water 50/50 and let it sit on a beat-up pine table for about 20 minutes. I tried it last Tuesday, and it DID soften the old varnish, but it also raised the grain like CRAZY. I ended up having to sand way more than usual, adding like two extra hours to the job. It worked, but not as cleanly as my usual chemical stripper. Has anyone else had a weird result with a home remedy like that?
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sean_dixon966mo ago
Pre-raising the grain with water first is a total game changer for that method.
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the_caleb7mo ago
Yeah, that grain raising is the worst part. I always wipe the wood down with a damp cloth first to pre-raise the grain, let it dry, and give it a light sand. Then when you use the vinegar mix, it doesn't puff up nearly as much. It adds a step but saves a ton of sanding later.
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eric3597mo ago
Ever try using a spray bottle instead of a cloth? I found it gives a more even dampness so the grain raises the same way across the whole board.
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