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Can't strip a painted coating

2004

Hello...

I have rebuilt a large industrial sewing machine for use in my shop. It is a older (1950's)and rugged cast iron Singer "walking foot" sewing machine that was originally painted with a heavy black finish that had become chipped and/or gone in some of the areas (baked enamel?). I've tried various paint strippers and chemicals to remove the old finish (as a prep to repainting)without any luck. Nothing I've tried melts the coating, just sort of dulls it. Whatever the surface was finished with, it doesn't come off with anything I've tried. I can shave it off with a blade so I know it isn't a vitreous coating (I think). Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Andrew Stern
Hobbyist - Greensburg, Pennsylvania, USA

The coating is probably a phenolic. They have very good chemical resistance and would be hard to remove. Being thermoset it will not melt.

Ronald Zeeman
Coil Coating - Brampton ON Canada
2004

I just purchased an old sewing machine stand/table and the bottom is black wrought iron. It needs some TLC. I want to know how to clean it and if I should re-finish it. If I should re-finish, with what method and product?

Tammy Schirmer
new to antiques - Arkport, New York, USA
2005