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What lining material is impervious to caustic soda solution?

I am refurbishing an old large house. I want to strip back 100 years of paint on ornate skirtings etc, and then stain/varnish them as when new. I have used caustic soda [affil links] in solution to strip back paint on smaller items in a barrel very successfully (stair rails, etc). If I make a shallow, timber framed container to accommodate lengths of up to 18 feet, what material can I safely use to line the frame; e.g. can I use polyethylene sheeting like in standard tarpaulin, or non-woven polypropylene. Any tips regarding pitfalls of using Sodium Hydroxide. e.g. solution strength; length of time submerged; how to ensure neutralization. etc.

Thanks so much.

Bill Carnie
- Manchester, Lancashire, England
2003

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Polyethylene or polypropylene should be okay except for the danger of overheating when making up a caustic solution. Steel sheet should be fine, but that may not be something you are comfortable fabricating with. We need hardly say that working with caustic is really dangerous to your eyes and skin!

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003

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Good God be careful! Caustic is nasty stuff.
PROTECT YOUR EYES!
It will numb you as it turns your skin to soap, you'll notice it too late

Jon Quirt
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
2003