I acquired my equipment about 10 - or more years ago - all very old. The propane torch is the way I have always refurbished old boxes and frames. Whenever I remove any frames the old wax, wires, supports are thoroughly heated with the torch, and all debris then scraped away with a hive tool. Not until I'm thoroughly happy with the cleansing, are new wax inserts, wires, etc. replaced. Easiest way to go - I don't care to use lye to disinfect the frames. I do wash the frames after they have been torched, to remove as much chared substance as possible. The bees don't seem to mind and the honey is not contaminated. Just my 2 c's. Bejay

Maybe try Armstrong New Beginnings or go to a janitorial supply company and purchase some commercial wax remover.

I definitely do not agree that it "just looks so cool, as we all know". To me, exposed brick screams of being 1970's-80's. Things to think about....These brick walls weren't built with the intention of being exposed so chances are the mortaring will be sloppy. Plus, by removing the plaster, you will be removing insulation value...thus, higher heating bills. Will the plaster removal result in having to move electric and will it screw up how window and door trim lines up? The brick walls will be dusty so you'll have to seal the brick somehow; however sealing bricks doesn't allow moisture to leave the bricks so you could be inviting more problems if you seal. As you have commented, the original mortar will be crumbly due to it most likely being lime mortar instead of the cement mortar used today. If the mortar is crumbling, it has failed. Repointing is the only PROPER solution. My tip - don't do it.

So is lacquer better or worse than polyurethane? I know the guy used lacquer on my cabinets. When we had to refinish one of the old bathroom cabinets he told us what he used. Benjamin Moore said only 2 states carry it, Oklahoma and Texas. That tells me it should NOT be used. It is banned in other states. It sounds like I am ready to sand? I can quit trying to get the glossy parts off where the cracks are. (Where the 2 planks meet.) They will just sand off? I moved the TV cabinet away from the wall. That wall used to have a built in entertainment center with doors and drawers, but my TV was wider, so we removed the entertainment center. We found the original flooring had not been lacquered or polyurethane where the old cabinets had been. We can see that the wood turned more yellow and darker in the rest of the room. The room is huge and includes the kitchen. 42' x 28' plus 12' x 4' hallway. I am sanding around the perimeter first except for the hall and kitchen area. Then I will move the aquarium, couches, and TV cabinet back in place against the walls. They are all sitting on soft sliders so they will not scratch the floor. Then I can sand the rest of the floor. I have no place to move the furniture so it will have to be done in sections. Once the sanding is finished and the floor is clean, I don't know if I can finish the floor in sections. Can that be done? Thanks.