Odd finish

[Sp@Z]

Hello,

Am new here, and have basically zero knowledge of woodworking. But i just purchased a 133 year old brick victorian with lots of beautiful wood trim and floors, and want to refurbish the wood.

Could someone please help identify this finish. The finish is on the trim around the window. I can not for the life of me figure out how to remove it. Im not even sure if the trim is wood. It almost sounds plastic when i knock it.

I am a complete newbie when it comes to woodworking.

Thanks,
Adam

[barryvabeach]

Adam,  I can't see it in person, though from that photo, it appears to be wood with a film finish that has alligatored.    If you want to determine the type of finish, the most certain way to do it is using chemicals to see what dissolves it  https://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-g...hat-anyway

My guess is that you could probably get away with a finish restoration product https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014JGFYG/ref...2269646394   which will dissolve the existing finish, but leave the stain intact.   It will be quite a bit of work, but less work than using a stripper, which will take off the finish and the stain, and require that you restain it.

[Sp@Z]

Adam,  I can't see it in person, though from that photo, it appears to be wood with a film finish that has alligatored.    If you want to determine the type of finish, the most certain way to do it is using chemicals to see what dissolves it  https://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-g...hat-anyway

My guess is that you could probably get away with a finish restoration product https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014JGFYG/ref...2269646394   which will dissolve the existing finish, but leave the stain intact.   It will be quite a bit of work, but less work than using a stripper, which will take off the finish and the stain, and require that you restain it.

Thanks for the info!

I did apply a citristrip to a portion of it, and nothing happened.

[DogwoodTales]

Welcome aboard!
Idk what the finish is but I'd use a strong and viscous chemical stripper with plastic scrapers and steel wool to remove it and get back to bare wood.
You will need a respirator, safety goggles, and chemical resistant gloves.
I wouldn't take sand paper to it while dry for concern of lead based products in there. If it's wet with stripper it would be okay as long as you don't get it airborne.
If after stripping a couple select areas you determine the wood underneath is not worth the effort, then you can opt to stop and just replace the trim.
Just my .02.

[alanealane]

Welcome aboard!
Idk what the finish is but I'd use a strong and viscous  chemical stripper with plastic scrapers and steel wool to remove it and get back to bare wood.
You will need a respirator,  safety goggles,  and chemical resistant gloves.
I wouldn't take sand paper to it while dry for concern of lead based products in there. If it's wet with stripper it would be okay as long as you don't get it airborne.
If after stripping a couple select areas you determine the wood underneath is not worth the effort, then you can opt to stop and just replace the trim.
Just my .02.

That advice is worth at least a nickel. And thats my $.02! 

[Sp@Z]

That advice is worth at least a nickel. And thats my $.02! 

Its priceless to me, since im clueless! Thanks everyone!