Cleaning Up Stripped Doors

A paint-thinner fix for glossy spots on stripped and refinished doors. January 2, 2012

Question
I had to strip paint off some doors last week and they cleaned up quite well. After stripping I washed off with water and sanded. I waited 30 to 36 hours before refinishing, and sprayed on two coats of lacquer primer and finish coat. After drying, I noticed a couple had glossy spots on them, about 1/2" wide and 2" or 3" long. I am sure it is something to do with the stripper. What can I do to correct this and prevent it in the future?

Forum Responses
(Finishing Forum)
From contributor R:
Could be some of the wax that's in the stripper wasn't quite washed off well enough when you did your water rinse. You might give those areas a gentle wipe with a rag dipped in naphtha. It might be that in a few days everything will look normal even without the Naphtha.

This ain't for the weak of heart, but gasoline works wonders for leaching wax or oil out of raw wood. In your case, it might be too late. When you applied your primer, did those glossy spots show up, or was it after you applied your final coats?


From the original questioner:
I didn't notice it with the primer. Does this finally clear up on its own, or am I going to have to do something drastic?

From contributor A:
I think you will have to do something. I have had some success scotchbriting the spots, and respraying.


From contributor J:
Residual paraffin from the stripper probably is the reason why the finish looks glossy or still wet. I've had success using a good rag soaked with paint thinner. 9 times out of 10, by the time the paint thinner has dried from the surface, my glossy problem has gone too. I'd consider changing your wash coat before you sand from water to a good degreaser.

From the original questioner:
Thanks. The rinse with the paint thinner did work.
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