Try denatured alcohol - it softens and dissolves shellac 


Eric Hammarberg, Assoc. AIA
Vice President
Thornton Tomasetti
51 Madison Avenue
New York, NY  10010
T 917.661.7800  F 917.661.7801  
D 917.661.8160  
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www.ThorntonTomasetti.com



-----Original Message-----
From: The listserv where the buildings do the talking
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Cuyler Page
Sent: Friday, June 19, 2009 7:25 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [BP] Scorched Wood Finish - Removal

Has anyone dealt with refinishing historic wood mouldings and door trims
scorched by fire so that the original shelac has blackened and bubbled?

Looking for suggestions of techniques for removing the damaged finish
but preserving the rich dark patina of the original wood.

The scorching happened when a ball of flame, plasma-like, erupted
through a 
hallway for a moment just as firemen arrived.   The fire started in a
closet 
under a stair and had just burned through the closet door after reaching

major temperatures inside.   Some of the wood is actually charred and
will 
have to be replaced with appropriately stained new material, but much of
the damage to the many doors and trims of the hall are simply blackened
bubbled shelac.

With grateful thanks for any replies and references,

cp in bc
Craigflower Historic Site
Victoria, BC 

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