Getting paint off banisters?

BaconandEggs

Hi,

We've got landing/stairs banisters with decades worth of gloss paint on. We would quite like to strip these and varnish (at least the top banister if all else fails).

Does anyone have any advice or recommendations about how best to do this? Is it just a case of elbow grease and sandpaper or would I be better using a sander or stripper?

Cheers,

BnE

Leif

You should find many similar threads if you search here. Bear in mind you might have lead based paint hence sanding is inadvisable.

As an aside, I do wonder if it would be possible to dissassemble banisters, and have them dipped in a tank of stripper by a company, much quicker, but I suspect dissassembly is not an option.

BaconandEggs

Thanks - how would I know if the paint is lead based?
Is there a way to check?

silvasava

I used my old hairdryer with a nozzle as it was very hot & a scraper on our bannister. Hard work but easier than sanding or paint stripper & not as messy.

cattie

I had a decorator strip the banister rail on my stairs. He used a sharp bladed thingy which really made light work of stripping down the years of paint. Then he gave it a good sand and coated with clear varnish.

greyteam1959

I stripped my bannisters......h*ll of a job but worth it in the end.
Liquid Nitromors is the stuff I used & plenty of time & lots of elbow grease !!!

jc808

heat gun.............

chiefgoobster

I'll 2nd that

heat gun , lots of patience and listen to the radio whilst doing

Leif

BaconandEggs wrote: »

Thanks - how would I know if the paint is lead based?
Is there a way to check?

No idea, sorry. I suspect it the paint is older than a certain date, then it could have lead in it. I'm sure others here will know.

These people sell strippers:

http://www.stripperspaintremovers.com/I_want_to_remove.htm

I have no connection to them, except as a customer.

I bought some samples, and they were delivered to work. I recall Hazel, a manager, walking into the office announcing "The strippers have arrived" with a cheeky grin on her face. Their products are good, and may be cheaper than Nitromors etc for large jobs.

VoucherMan

No help to the op but it's made me feel better.

I've just got a handrail on my staircase which come decorating time will be going on someone's bonfire & I'll buy a new one.

Not very MSE but in this case I think I value the time more than the money.

keystone

Heatgun to do it roughly followed by a lot of elbow grease and hand sanding afterwards.

Cheers