Varnished items from older collections.

Sajen · 24th March 2016, 04:27 PM

Shellac can be removed by benzine, chemical clean.

Jens Nordlunde · 24th March 2016, 07:23 PM

Yes you are right, that acetone is quite good.
When it comes to blades it is relatively easy, but when it comes to chiselled hilts, it is not always that easy to remove the lack in all corners - so be very careful when you do it - to get out in all the corners.

kronckew · 24th March 2016, 07:38 PM

and now the mandatory OSHA warning:

remember to use volatile solvents outdoors or in very good ventilated rooms. most are poisonous and some are carcinogenic. i don't want to lose any of us. solvent resistant gloves and goggles/face mask are a good idea. nice strong outdoor lighting from that big white ball in the sky will also assist in improving your removals from corners and areas that may hide in artificial lighting.

acetone has a much lower toxicity that benzine which can cause permanent damage if inhaled, ingested or absorbed thru skin contact. both are highly flammable, so no smoking, or sources of ignition nearby. benzine is the major constituent of gasoline/petrol.

sadly, we rarely see that thing in the sky that gives off all the light here in the UK. i think it's astronomical name is Sol, or something similar. (it is raining here as usual) i have a dim memory of something we called the sun, way back when i was a younger in alabama, usa. might be the same thing.

fernando · 24th March 2016, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

... i have a dim memory of something we called the sun, way back when i was a younger in alabama ...

Wait a minute; have you forgotten the Douro and the Portuguese Sol ?

mrcjgscott · 24th March 2016, 08:18 PM

Hello All,

I would also vote for acetone, having used it with success on several occasions.

Sadly the varnish I normally encounter has usually turned a nasty treacle brown colour, from a mixture of dirt, cigarette and other smoke.

My first encounter with it was on a beautiful horn handled lambendh kukri, which had come from a large display of ethnographic weapons from a country house.

If you need to remove varnish from horn, acetone works well, but remember to treat the horn with mineral oil afterwards, as it soon sucks the moisture right out which can shrink the horn and make it brittle.

Good luck!

Chris

kronckew · 24th March 2016, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Wait a minute; have you forgotten the Douro and the Portuguese Sol ?

no, i remember sweating like a flea in granny's fryin' skillet on the costa, not quite so hot in the mountains...even a few shady bits.

the cure of course is vinho verde in copious quantities. coriander (cilantro), garlic and egg soup over bread also helps. oh, and a nice large port after dinner takes away the last pains and mellows out the world.

A. G. Maisey · 25th March 2016, 12:19 AM

Varnish and shellac removal depends on what the lac was mixed with to make the finished product.

In old "classic" finishes methylated spirits will mostly remove the stuff. Metho & 0000 steel wool, then a hand rub with baby oil.

Newer finishes might need acetone, but the old stuff just wipes off with metho.

estcrh · 25th March 2016, 06:15 AM

What would you recommend for this yatagan which is coated with some type of clear lacquer. The hilt seems to be niello.

24th March 2016, 07:38 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,238	and now the mandatory OSHA warning: remember to use volatile solvents outdoors or in very good ventilated rooms. most are poisonous and some are carcinogenic. i don't want to lose any of us. solvent resistant gloves and goggles/face mask are a good idea. nice strong outdoor lighting from that big white ball in the sky will also assist in improving your removals from corners and areas that may hide in artificial lighting. acetone has a much lower toxicity that benzine which can cause permanent damage if inhaled, ingested or absorbed thru skin contact. both are highly flammable, so no smoking, or sources of ignition nearby. benzine is the major constituent of gasoline/petrol. sadly, we rarely see that thing in the sky that gives off all the light here in the UK. i think it's astronomical name is Sol, or something similar. (it is raining here as usual) i have a dim memory of something we called the sun, way back when i was a younger in alabama, usa. might be the same thing. Last edited by kronckew; 24th March 2016 at 07:54 PM.

25th March 2016, 06:15 AM	#8
estcrh Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: USA Posts: 1,492	What would you recommend for this yatagan which is coated with some type of clear lacquer. The hilt seems to be niello. Attached Images

24th March 2016, 04:27 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,270	Shellac can be removed by benzine, chemical clean.

24th March 2016, 07:23 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Yes you are right, that acetone is quite good. When it comes to blades it is relatively easy, but when it comes to chiselled hilts, it is not always that easy to remove the lack in all corners - so be very careful when you do it - to get out in all the corners.

24th March 2016, 08:18 PM	#5
mrcjgscott Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 189	Hello All, I would also vote for acetone, having used it with success on several occasions. Sadly the varnish I normally encounter has usually turned a nasty treacle brown colour, from a mixture of dirt, cigarette and other smoke. My first encounter with it was on a beautiful horn handled lambendh kukri, which had come from a large display of ethnographic weapons from a country house. If you need to remove varnish from horn, acetone works well, but remember to treat the horn with mineral oil afterwards, as it soon sucks the moisture right out which can shrink the horn and make it brittle. Good luck! Chris

25th March 2016, 12:19 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,047	Varnish and shellac removal depends on what the lac was mixed with to make the finished product. In old "classic" finishes methylated spirits will mostly remove the stuff. Metho & 0000 steel wool, then a hand rub with baby oil. Newer finishes might need acetone, but the old stuff just wipes off with metho.