Hmmm.... how to sand fiddly bits ready for painting?

TheFiendNextDoor

Hi and thanks for reading,

I need to paint my bannisters (and there are zillions of them) but they are already coated in what appears to be 100 years of gloss - does anyone have any tips on how best to sand them ready for their next coat? They don't have to look amaaaazing, just smart and clean!

Thanks in advance!

wallbash

Spindles are not so bad. at least the round bits.
You need a length of sandpaper or better stil a long piece of emery cloth
Then its just like 'towelling your back!!!!!
I know wot i mean!

latecomer

I would second what wallbash said if they are straight. if there are contours then I dont think you'll have any alternative to doing it by hand.

TheFiendNextDoor

So i simply get sandpaper, and sand?!

And I was hoping there was a magical solution! Liking the idea of the back-towel manoeuvre - it's just the grooves which are so full of coats of paint that they are disappearing!

latecomer

It might help if you can post a picture of one.

maninthestreet

Maybe use paint remover on the grooves?

TomsMom

We had our spindles dipped, but we did want to remove all traces of paint and wax them.

Yorkshire_Bred

Try these flexible sanding pads, excellent for moulded areas and can be used wet which reduces the amount of dust.

Most decorating centers do them and they are relatively inexpensive

http://www.williamswheel.com/sanding_pads.htm

ormus

use a heat gun and burn them off.
which ever method you use, its a long job to do properly.