obelixx, I have had furniture dipped in a CAUSTIC bath. This then has to be neutralised with vinegar. It was a Victorian chest of drawers and the drawers all became unglued in the bath, so had to be glued together again. It helps if you have sash cramps for this. It took a few days as I recollect to dry out and then get gently sanded in the direction of the grain.
The alternative is to have them sandblasted; (also known as bead blasting I think) this would give them a very coarse rustic look. I had my mantelpiece done heavily like this and it is like frozen waves
Thanks Artjak. No sandblasting available here and I doubt it would do the spindles or chair seats much good. Sounds like a great efffect for a mantlepiece though.
I've only found one dipping place too and they've quoted €30 per chair. Cripes!!
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Hi obelixx, we had all our internal pine doors stripped by a company, they dipped them in caustic bath and then pressure wash off after. We were really pleased with the results Didn't take long to dry out and we just waxed after
Think it was about hundred pounds and we had five doors done and they picked up and returned to us inclusive for that price
I def would pay out as to do yourself would take for ever! Lot of very hard work and the stuff you use is very messy and exspensive
Hi OL that shop sounds loverlee We have found one in Buckingham which is nearly an hour away but well worth it as they stock painted furniture and lots of lovely stuff at brill prices! I think they are online I'll have a look and get back to you
I had doors dipped in previous house and they were really good. But I have recently bought chairs from ebay that I think had been dipped and the joints were loose due to the glue melting I think.
Thanks Dove. I've checked and they do use solvants rather than caustic soda. Just waiting to find out how long it takes as they're at Waterloo and that's about 50kms from here so needs some planning as I'm a busy girl.
However, if we get the hard winter people are predicting, it'll be agood winter project to keep me quiet in the dark days when gardening is impossible - that and painting obelisks and metal garden chairs and maybe sewing new sofa covers which I hope will be chic but not shabby.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Posts
obelixx, I have had furniture dipped in a CAUSTIC bath. This then has to be neutralised with vinegar. It was a Victorian chest of drawers and the drawers all became unglued in the bath, so had to be glued together again. It helps if you have sash cramps for this. It took a few days as I recollect to dry out and then get gently sanded in the direction of the grain.
The alternative is to have them sandblasted; (also known as bead blasting I think) this would give them a very coarse rustic look. I had my mantelpiece done heavily like this and it is like frozen waves
Thanks Artjak. No sandblasting available here and I doubt it would do the spindles or chair seats much good. Sounds like a great efffect for a mantlepiece though.
I've only found one dipping place too and they've quoted €30 per chair. Cripes!!
Hi obelixx, we had all our internal pine doors stripped by a company, they dipped them in caustic bath and then pressure wash off after. We were really pleased with the results
Didn't take long to dry out and we just waxed after
Think it was about hundred pounds and we had five doors done and they picked up and returned to us inclusive for that price
I def would pay out as to do yourself would take for ever! Lot of very hard work and the stuff you use is very messy and exspensive
Hi OL that shop sounds loverlee
We have found one in Buckingham which is nearly an hour away but well worth it as they stock painted furniture and lots of lovely stuff at brill prices! I think they are online 
I'll have a look and get back to you 
Did you plant up your tin bath?
http://www.the-courtyard-buckingham.co.uk/
Looks a lovely shop Beaus.
I had doors dipped in previous house and they were really good. But I have recently bought chairs from ebay that I think had been dipped and the joints were loose due to the glue melting I think.
Thanks everyone for these answers. I can probably re-glue or pin joints. More worried about the state of the wood after dipping.
Used to have lots of furniture and doors dipped - joints do need re-doing if the furniture is old, and it does dry the wood a bit, but nothing that a good wax finish won't sort out. http://www.ehow.com/how_2123212_make-beeswax-wood-finish.html
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thanks Dove. I've checked and they do use solvants rather than caustic soda. Just waiting to find out how long it takes as they're at Waterloo and that's about 50kms from here so needs some planning as I'm a busy girl.
However, if we get the hard winter people are predicting, it'll be agood winter project to keep me quiet in the dark days when gardening is impossible - that and painting obelisks and metal garden chairs and maybe sewing new sofa covers which I hope will be chic but not shabby.