Best way to strip gloss?

babyangel10

Hi,

Just in case it was relevant the Asda I got mine from is a Walmart - not sure if the smaller ones stock the gun or not. If not, Screwfix do one for about £15 also with accessories (If you have a local branch?)

Of course there is B&Q and Wickes, but make sure they have the scraper and other nozzles included - very handy to have all of them for differing jobs.

As for the stairs, I'd just say be careful cos I had the 'joy' of having to replace a whole staircase in a house I was renovating :mad: and believe me it ain't as straightforward as you think!

I'd considered changing my spindles for this current stripping job cos the paint isn't coming off as well as I hoped, but as I've got a little girl I decided to soldier on :rolleyes: in case I go wrong and we are left bannister-less!

So proceed with caution, cos once you've sawn through the damn things there ain't no going back!

Peartree

I had an old cottage and decided to strip the windows and sills. I got a quote from someone to do the job but decided it was too expensive. Subsequently worked out that with the cost of litres and litres of paint stripper, heat guns (blew out one in the process), blow lamps and gas (which I actually found better than a heat gun - and more fun), time I should have spent on other things, wear and tear on nerves, wine to remedy wear and tear on nerves, etc, etc, I realised that I'd probably spent at least twice as much doing the job myself!

Didn't learn the lesson and in next house stripped floor, stairs, etc.

Now have 30s house and when tempted to strip wood, I have a firm word with myself and remind myself that a) the house would not 'originally' have had bare wood and b) my mental health is more important. Unfortunately, didn't stop me recently pulling up the hall carpet just to take a quick look to see if the floorboards were strippable/sandable!

On the upside, appear to have developed a complete immunity to burning effects of paint stripper - which is just as well as generally end up kneeling in it at some point in the proceedings!

Peartree

PS How much longer must I share dodgy DIY advice before I'm a regular moneysaver too????

babyangel10

Peartree wrote:

heat guns (blew out one in the process),

wine to remedy wear and tear on nerves, etc, etc,

On the upside, appear to have developed a complete immunity to burning effects of paint stripper - which is just as well as generally end up kneeling in it at some point in the proceedings!

PS How much longer must I share dodgy DIY advice before I'm a regular moneysaver too????

1 Yep, i did that too!

2 Yep, am now having to fight the urge to crack open the grog before 12pm :rotfl:

3 Ditto! Doesn't burn as much now - just itches!

4 No hard and fast rule according to MSE, but I got mine after about 150 posts - not sure if the thanks have any influence or not tho

T x

P.S Advice so far has been pretty good IMO!

Hounslow_Penguin

Hello! I'm currently stripping the skirting and doors in our hallway - again (because doing it once and being happy with the colour I painted them would have been FAR too easy) - and am doing it the 'Cheap Nitro Mors from Wilkinson' way. (If you're in the Hounslow area, anyone, The Wheelhouse currently has the same price on the 1l tins!) I also advise to have on hand the following:

- a bucket/similar receptacle of water
- a bladed scraping knife
- a blunter scraper/shavehook
- wire wool, or a few sink sponges with the scourer sides on

As you strip the wood, also wash/scrub with the wool/scourers. Brings it up a treat.

I've used a heat gun as well before, but when I saw part of the door lighting up it kind of stopped me... :rotfl:

Mr_Warren_2

Over a period of 2 years we have stripped back to bare wood all our staircae, spindles, threads, doors, architraves, skirting boards and picture rails. We found out that best solution was to use the heat gun to get the old gooee gloss with brown or green base layer off. Then wash off with Nitromors using an cheap scouring pad (wear protective gear) then wask off again with Nitormors with wire wool. Eventually rinse with white spirit before giving it a final sand down......then move to the next metre or so of woodwork. Use small tools such as "free Christmas cracker screwdriver sets" to go in all the small areas. It is time consuming but well worth the effort at the end. When using the heat gun, do not stay on the same spot "a eternam". You will scorch the wood and will need heavy sanding to remove the black bits.

bootman

On Thursday Aldi had paint and varnish stripper for £2.49. I stripped my outside window sills yesterday. Worked a treat. Bubbles the paint up straight away.

amyandoli

Hello!

I want to strip my hall/stairs/landing: 4door frames (not the doors-will reclamation yard replace them), skirting, 2windowsills and banister attatched to wall (no spindles etc).

How long do you think it'll take?

It's a box hall and small landing-just 3 doors off it. At the moment it's white gloss with a couple of chips in it (showing peach, yellow and blue gloss'!) It's simple 1950s style woodwork- little rounded skirting and door frames, so no detailed bits...

I've got decorators coming to strip and put up wallpaper on Wednesday... if I get the chemicals and started tonight, could I be done by then?

Many Thanks

Amy x

ormus

use a heat gun, and take care as stated above. keep children and pets out.
i dont like the chemical methods indoors.
i did my staircase a few yrs ago. many many layers of paint! prob every one since the house was built in about 1935.
took my time. it took days and days. sanding too with a little mouse type sander. hand sanding too. but now i have a great looking, stained, dark oak staircase.
i think its stunning, well worth the trouble.

ormus

ps.
never use a blow lamp/torch. too dangerous. even with pros using them, some houses have been burnt down using them! (and many fires started too).

amyandoli

days and days... urgh!

I thought I could get it sorted by Wednesday- start Friday night, most of Sat/Sun all of Mon/Tue....

Have I got a chance?