Best way to strip gloss?

elfmay

Heat gun or chemicals?

Need to strip several layers of paint that runs alongs both sides of staircase as well as several skirts and architraves.

Also whilst I'm here How easy is it to fit spindles to staircase? Currently have this horrid MDF board (also covered in several layers of gloss! :rolleyes: ) which just has to go!

Peartree

Answering on the basis that you appear to want someone really bad! I'm sure the professionals will disagree but from my many years of (inept and amateur) house renovation..

I've found that sometimes gloss comes off a treat with heat (if you don't already have a heat gun, a blow lamp is cheaper, more fun and more versatile - you can use it for creme brulee later!) and sometimes it doesn't - even some sections in the same job can work better than others. As far as I can see it depends very much on what's underneath which, of course, you can't see. So give it a go first with heat, and if the paint is stripping off well carry on. Once you've got a few layers off, revert to the chemical paint stripper. If it doesn't come off well, just go with the chemical stripper. Don't bother with the brand names, it's all exactly the same.

If you've got a lot of grooves or detail to deal with, stock up with pan scrubs and tooth brushes.

Peartree

PS Only involvement with replacing spindles in staircase was reminiscent of Laurel and Hardy film so cannot comment.

DebbieSummer

Hi
We are in the throws of paint strippng all the skirting boards, architraves and doors through out the house and we are doing it the chemical way. B&Q do Nirtro Mors Value 4 litre tin for 9.99 which works out cheaper than the own brand and cheaper than all other nitro mors sizes ~ hope that makes sense.
Debbie

roswell

If you want a short test of how well the heat gun will work get your hair dryer out and heat up a section and take a scraper to it.

In my DIY attempts I have had varied success with heat guns / blow lamps / chemicals, in short there is no quick way but i found chemicals the slowest way.

The risk with blow lamps is you may scorch the surface and its hardt to cover this up. blow lamps are better suited to stripping paint off metal and heat guns to wood, Chemicals to delicate work where you cant fit scrapers in.

babyangel10

Hi,

Like Debbie, I'm stripping all the glossed stuff and have used a combo of heat gun (£11.98 from Asda - Wolf Brand, very good, with adjustable heat and lots of accessories), plus paint stripper - Wilkos are currently doing Nitromors 2L for £4.00, or their own is the same price when Nitromors goes back up to full price.

I'm also using a sander where necessary, plus white spirit, pan scrubs, elbow grease etc etc

The prob comes when you have to deal with primer that has soaked in (as Peartree has kindly answered my query on, on another thread I started!)

Good Luck!

iwanttosave_2

Elfy, where the beggin hell have you been lady :wave:

babyangel10

Just to add that if you do go for the heat gun method make sure you wear proper gloves, long sleeved and high neck tops and long trews. That gun gets REALLY hot as I discovered whilst using mine in late summer last year, whilst dressed in a v neck top. A piece of stripped paint flew off and landed on my neck and took a good 3 or 4 layers of skin straight off. I still have the scar at present so be warned!

Also, if you are scraping paint on something higher than your face level (like tops of doors for e.g) then stand on steps so you are at the same, or higher, level to reduce the chance of anything hot landing on top of you.

Those things can reach up to 600 degrees - take extra care, espesh when kiddies or pets are around.

babyangel10

OOH, I've just gone up to 'regular moneysaver' status! :j

Sorry, had to share that with you!

elfmay

Peartree wrote:

Answering on the basis that you appear to want someone really bad! I'm sure the professionals will disagree but from my many years of (inept and amateur) house renovation..

I've found that sometimes gloss comes off a treat with heat (if you don't already have a heat gun, a blow lamp is cheaper, more fun and more versatile - you can use it for creme brulee later!) and sometimes it doesn't - even some sections in the same job can work better than others. As far as I can see it depends very much on what's underneath which, of course, you can't see. So give it a go first with heat, and if the paint is stripping off well carry on. Once you've got a few layers off, revert to the chemical paint stripper. If it doesn't come off well, just go with the chemical stripper. Don't bother with the brand names, it's all exactly the same.

If you've got a lot of grooves or detail to deal with, stock up with pan scrubs and tooth brushes.

Peartree

PS Only involvement with replacing spindles in staircase was reminiscent of Laurel and Hardy film so cannot comment.

:rotfl:

Perhaps I should edit my sig to include "must be good at DIY, power tools supplied."
Thanks all. Will pop in to asda and pick up a heat gun and get some chemical stripper just in case. Anyone else ever get the 'I'm sorry I ever started this' feeling? :rolleyes:

I keep hovering around the banister with a saw, fighting of the urge to just rip out old paneling. Then there's the wall I want to knock down in the bathroom! (It's only survived this long because there's a radiator on it and I'm still deciding whether I can move it myself or not!) DIY SOS here I come! lol :rotfl:

elfmay

iwanttosave wrote:

Elfy, where the beggin hell have you been lady :wave:

:wave:
Mostly hanging around DIY shops lately! :rolleyes:

Next you're gonna tell me chauff's an expert joiner and not to bother as he'll come and sort everything out! Right?


BTW Congrats gertybertyangel! :beer:

iwanttosave_2

I wouldn't say expert, but he can knock a few things together

Oh and to keep on topic, I have always used nitro mors, if you get it make sure you open every window and for gods sakes, use gloves!! That stuff burns like hell on crack :eek: