Does anyone know a quicker way to remove paint from wood?

Question

We are in the process of decorating the staircase/hallway. The architraves and skirtings are from when the house was built over 100 years ago. We are wanting to strip the paint back to the original wood and varnish it so that the hallway looks brighter. We have been using a heat gun and nitro morse but it is taking weeks, is there any other way to get this done quicker?

Answer 1

You can use an acid-based paint stripper (like Klean Strip) and it works pretty fast. It's a gel that you brush on, and watch it melt the old varnish and paint. After about 10 minutes, when you see all the old finish is lifted off, you scrape the residue away with a plastic scraper. You then rinse the remaining residue off with a cloth and water.

If you use this stuff, make sure you wear long sleeves, use goggles, and wear long, thick rubber gloves that are corrosion resistant. If even a tiny drop of the stuff gets on your skin, it feels like a wasp sting until you rinse it off (or wipe off with a wet rag).

If you've never used a chemical stripper, you'll be shocked and amazed at how quick and effective it is.

Answer 2

For DIY some of the newer heavy paste strippers are very good & non toxic ( home centers). Not cheap , but do work well on multiple layers of paint. On the bright side, there is probably a shellac or varnish finish on the woodwork in a home that old & will help release the paint on top. Also in a house that old ,you will be getting rid of years worth of lead based paint The advantage is, the paint comes off in relatively solid sheets when lifted off with a plastic scraper & you do not get the wet messy residue you would w/ gel type strippers. When you get down to the original "varnish" , a gel type stripper is OK for final cleanup using bronze wool. old toothbrush.rags etc Not a fast process , but ultimately, you can expect good results without damaging the wood. If the wood cleans up well & the color is what you like, an oil finish is easiest to apply & gives a warm "old world" finish. You can use the original shellac or varnish finish ( probably tinted ). It would be criminal to use polyurethane, sand or stain the woodwork in a good old house. Love old homes. Best of luck.

Answer 3

Keep at it tho its taking so long. It will be worth it in the end. Be careful with the Nitromors, it can really give you a bad chemical burn. Good luck scraping.

Answer 4

peel away formula 6 then remove with white paper towels and odorless minral spirits. go to the peel away website for more information.