This month the International Brotherhood of Strippers Education and Political Action Committee is proud to outline the second and final stripping technique to be mastered for certification as a card-carrying, Master Stripper. It is hoped that the Apprentice Strippers have learned not to rush through their act, for in perfecting this second stripping technique. timing is of utmost importance. There is nothing worse than a stripper who must stop in the middle of her act to go back and take off something forgotten in haste.
Paint, in all its ugly forms, must be removed cleanly and neatly by an Apprentice Stripper in at least one average sized room or four pieces of furniture in order to qualify as a Master Stripper. There are several approved techniques for paint stripping.
The first and perhaps oldest method is the blow torch. Torches and their refill cans of propane can be purchased at any hardware store. There is a special head for the blow torch found at Pearl Paint Stores which spreads out the flame, minimizes burning, and has been found far more effective than the common torch. Hold the torch a short distance from the paint until it softens and bubbles and then scrape with a putty knife or wall paper scraper. When done properly, paint can be removed to the bare wood with a torch and then finished with Kwik-Strip as with varnish removal. There are several electric burners on the market which may be used instead of a blow torch. They tend not to burn the wood but are much slower.
Commercial, chemical stripper is the second method for paint removal. We have found that Bbc, Super Peel, is the most effective. The directions on the back of the can should be followed – taking particular note to brush the stripper on thickly, keep it wet, and let it work until all layers have been softened. If properly applied, the paint should scrape off fairly easily. The final step is to dip coarse grade steel wool in the stripper and rub off any residue. Tools necessary for picking paint from carving vary with the individual strippers. We find nut picks or small knives with the points broken off and smoothed, to be useful.
The speed with which paint can be stripped depends also on the quality of the paint itself. If there is a good, tight coat of varnish under the paint, and the paint hasn’t soaked into the grain, stripping will go fairly quickly. If this is not the case, or if the paint is of the old,lead base, so-called “milk paint” variety, which turns creamy when coated with chemical stripper, the patience and skill of the individual will be keenly tested.
When the Apprentice Stripper feels he has mastered the removal of paint, the Education and Political Action Committee will then inspect the job and vote on the merits of the individual stripper. If the Apprentice Stripper is judged worthy, he will be presented the “Master Stripper Card” which has been carefully secreted in a mayonnaise jar in the basement of Skinker DeBaliviere, and which entitles the bearer to strip without shame for a lifetime.
Originally published in The Paper, May 1975.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1975_05.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
