SOS: how best remove "Focus Quick Drying Pine Varnish"?

[Eddy]

This is truly an SOS!

Have done a lot of intricate woodwork pine panelling, and in a Focus store the other day I went looking for a clear water-based satin finish. (Out of stock.) But came across "Focus Quick Drying Interior Pine Varnish" which is water-based. On the front is a picture of a stairwell balustrade looking finished and natural, and on the back it stated "This solution may appear milky but dries clear". There is a circle of colour indicating the finish is coloured for pine. Well, when I opened the tin at home I saw the nutty brown colour and guessed that if it was spread THINLY enough all should be well. Woke up this morning, and HORRORS, all the panelling had dried to an awful transparent CANARY YELLOW!

Thankfully, none of the panels have been applied to the walls yet.

How best do I get this stuff off, so as to get back to the natural appearance?

If it going to have to be a case of Nitromors, any hints? The panelling is "corrugated", not flat, so its going to be a tricky job.

There's a pic of the tin at:

[Andy Burns]

'ere Frank? Lend us your glasses :-)

[woodglass]

Obviously bought 'out of focus !!!!!' :-)

[Eddy]

WoodGlass wote:

Andy Burns wrote:

OK, OK, OK, Andy & Woody. Very funny! Ha, ha, ha! But do you know anything about how best to remove this new-fangled coloured water-based "varnish"? I used Nitromors a lot about 30 years ago but on old-fashioned oil-based varnish. I tried a bit of Caustic Soda solution an hour or so ago on this new stuff and it had no effect whatsoever. Maybe even Nitromors won't remove this stuff!? They're always changing the constitution of these paints and varnishes. I noticed while applying this stuff that it dries quickly to a very plastic-like film.

No more joking, PLEASE. Empathise with my PAIN!

Helpful comments, please.

Eddy.

[Andy Burns]

Any clues of the ingredients?

[Dave Liquorice]

When did Focus cease trading? The Penrith one closed several weeks ago after sereval weeks (if not months) selling off stock and is now a Wickes...

I'm glad I have an opticians appointment next week but I didn't think my eyes had got that bad.

As for getting it off a decent pic of the panels might have been better, so we can see what "corrugated" really means.

[Eddy]

Not a single constituent listed anywhere on the tin except a couple of words announcing that the "VOC content is low". The only other clue mentioned is that brushes can be cleaned in water. Well, the brush certainly cleaned very easily in lukewarm water, although I noticed that the varnish I had got on some of my fingertips during the job had dried and would not come off under the tap. I had to peal it off. It was like plastic film.

Rang Focus's 0800 number earlier on and got the message "Due to unforeseen circumstances we are not able to assist you at this time." And now, of course, they're closed.

Eddy.

[Alan]

Water :)

[Andy Burns]

if you've got some left in the tin, varnish up some offcuts of wood and when dry, try removing it with acetone or nitromors

[The Medway Handyman]

Nitromors contains methylene chloride or summat apart from other goodies. They do "Nitromors Specialist Varnish & Lacquer Remover" which sounds like the kiddie to me.

[Rod]

The product Remove-All from Unika might be of use. Water-based lacquers/varnishes are often PVA-based. However, I couldn't find anythign except the safety information. :-(

[Dave Liquorice]

Answer: They haven't but they have been in "financial trouble" recently.

Now that is interesting. Focus bought Wickes in Sep 2000 but sold it to Travis Perkins in Feb 2005.

Jan 2007 saw the appointment of Rothschild to advise the board on the companies future, Jul 2007 saw Focus sold to "capital management" company Cerberus.

How the might have fallen in 2002 Focus Wickes Group was the 2nd largest DIY firm in the UK (turn over) with 430 stores.

[Rod]

Quite possibly available elsewhere.

[Eddy]

Thanks, Andy. Tried acetone yesterday. No go. Also tried caustic soda solution. No go. Am off to see what's on the local shelves.

There's a product called "Lightning Strip" which antiques dealers strongly recommend for the purpose, but it seems it's only available in the USA.

Eddy.

[Eddy]

Thanks, Dave. Will keep an eye out for that one this morning. Am readying self for a day doing battle!

Eddy.

[Eddy]

Thanks, Rod. If the latest paint-stripper doesn't do the job, will turn thoughts to Remove-All. Very few listings for Remove-All though on the internet, so thanks for locating it at:

to have an array of weapons ready!

Eddy.

[Eddy]

Just thought I should warn everybody that "Focus Quick Drying Interior Varnish" does not respond normally to either caustic soda solution or nitromors. I would avoid using it. Have been in touch with several "dip n' strip" companies and they think they may be able to help via immersing the wood in stronger chemicals.

Eddy.