Hello,
has anyone actually stripped the finish off of a Crosley Repwood cabinet.
I know that some repwood cabinets are made of a different composite than others
I know that putting some stripper on the back before you try the front is a wise move.
I have read all the articles, suppositions and opinions on this and other forums

my question is: has anyone actually stripped a Buddy Boy, a New Buddy Boy or a Showboy? and if so...what did you use for stripper? did it hurt, damage or otherwise soften, sluff, break or muss up the cabinet in any way?

I have a Showboy that was painted with what appears to be house paint. I want to strip it off and I want to know what to use so I don't have to experiment for weeks finding the correct formula.

Thank you for any help you can be in this restoration

~jeff~

This won't help much but I have stripped repwood fronts on a few (1939 World Fair RCA's) using laquer thinner and did find the repwood getting tacky if I stayed on one spot too long. With yours???, good luck. I used a toned shellac for finishing and rubbed off the high spots to give it a worn look.

Jeff, I HAVE removed paint from a Showboy cabinet. I will HOPE that you have not done anything yet. I acheived very good results on the top and sides with the CAREFUL application of a single-edge razor blade. If you maintain a very shallow angle, you will avoid digging the "woodgraining" on the original surface. I would guess that some sort of laquer may have been applied to seal the original surface. Paint has bonded to this laquer and CAN be flaked off with LITTLE, if any effect on the woodgrain. Once the paint has been so removed, it will be a simple matter for you to apply a fresh coat of laquer to seal the surface AND enhance the artificial woodgrain. NOW THEN, the front of the cabinet IS a challenge....BUT....it CAN be done with maximum patience and utmost care! As it was already noted, I have also discovered that stripper WILL try to liquify the original surface, resulting in a temorary goo. I removed MOST of the paint by repeated BRIEF applications of stripper to small areas at a time. Remaining paint can be carefully chipped away with a small probe ( dental pick or similar). I have gotten to this point myself and I plan to mask off the top and sides and apply a bit a dark brown toner to the front to "balance out" the color of the surface. I have noted some truly HIDEOUS cabinets which have been completely stripped. IMHO, the cabinet without the woodgrain is just plain RUINED and much of it's value is LOST. Please keep us posted on YOUR progress and feel free to drop me a PM if you would like to ask any other questions. GOOD LUCK!! Dave