What's the easiest way to strip wood?

Question

I am trying to get about 70 years of paint off of wood trim in by bedroom. What's the easiest way to get off about 15 layers of paint while still being thourough?

Answer 1

well, the proper way to strip trim is to take the trim off and set up a work station,,,consisting of a plastic drop (9 x 12)
then place a cloth or paper drop cloth over the plastic drop ... you will need two work horses to put the trim on...rubber gloves, steel wool, scraper, hot soapy water and clean water...apply paste paint stripper ...scrape off...apply again, scrape off...apply again..use steel wool and soapy water to finish taking off the old paint...then rinse with clean water....let dry...stain ...seal and finish coat with a varnish sheen of your choice...personally i like to use a water borne urethane varnish...no sealer is necessary just apply three coats of this type of varnish for a wonderful finish...it looks milky when you first put it on but dries clean...don't leave any globs of varnish on the trim...they dry milky white..
you could try to strip them up...you will have to use masking tape of the walls ... its a mess and stinks when you strip inside...oh ... set your work station up outside...the fumes could hurt you if you use stripper inside..or you could just buy new trim.

Answer 2

I like to use a heat gun, but be careful. Then I scrape, and sand a little. I work on allot of old houses with many layers of paint. I also have s set of scrapers of all shapes and sizes. There is not a quick way to do it.

Answer 3

if your trim is that old first get a chip test done to make sure there is no lead in your paint!You could become very sick if there is!I would use a gel stripper like circa 1850,it's really great ,just time consuming!

Answer 4

You asked for the easiest....Hire someone to do it for you.