Heat Gun - Varnish Removal

[johnn33]

A simple triangular scraper with three flat edges for flat surfaces and corners, and a second one with a curved edge and two flat edges for spars etc. Very frequent sharpening. Gentle heat - you can always return rather than cook wood.



The wooden racing dinghies in the UK - Merlin Rockets, International 14s, National Twelves - all going strong today - were and are built of wood. Up to 16 coats with wet and dry sandpaper on a block between coats, and plain soap in the water to avoid clogging. An epoxy from West or Gurit first and flatten after each coat.

[Nicholson58]

Any heat gun, even a propane torch with a heat disperser.

Scrapers are not created equally. Many will not hold an edge or are too flimsy to control. These are my favorites. The small one has extremely hard strong bits that let you into tight spots. They are sharp enough to remove varnish without a heat gun.

You might find these or variations in a good woodcraft store, on line or sometimes Home Depot. I tapped the ends of an aluminum rod and put bits in each end.

[sailah]

Originally Posted by dlane1181

I’m no pro, and have stripped varnish a half dozen times using a standard Wagner heat gun on the low setting.

However, I hired a pro to help once, and he cursed those types of heat guns preferring infrared instead, similar to this one. https://eco-strip.com/
When I say, pro, I mean a pro. He has done the brightwork on several Frank Lloyd Wright homes and more than a few classic yachts on the east coast. I like Marc a lot, and learned a lot from him. Here’s his website. https://stylewithabrush.com/#

I looked through his gallery of boat varnish and I don't think I'd call him a pro. Brush marks everywhere, clearly not filling in the grain. I'm not a pro, but I varnish a lot. If I got that kind of work from someone I paid, I'd be disappointed.