Have the unenviable task of stripping our spindled curved stair case . Pain stripper does soften it , scrapping it off is hard going , due to spindle design etc . Can you use a brush wire/nylon to aid process . Otherwise I think I’ll be resorting back to sandpaper and blisters !
Varnish stripping
- Thread starter MrGrumpy
- Start date
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Chris S
Legendary Member
- Location
- Birmingham
Try whiskey from Lidl 
Was that an intended pun?
It certainly is. I tried to strip the paint off some kitchen chairs and took ages. A real pain.
Electric_Andy
Heavy Metal Fan
- Location
- Plymouth
It's hard to sand off when trying to maintain the profiles of the spindles. A heat gun works with paint but never tried it on varnish. It's likely more flammable so maybe not a good idea. Paint stripper is much more tame than it used to be so isn't that good anymore. Plus it would bung up your sandpaper. I think maybe manual sandpaper is the way to go, use a coarse one first and then finish the bare would with a finer grit
Once a Wheeler
…always a wheeler
Blow torches can work well but take care and try out on a hidden test piece first. Good luck.
MontyVeda
a short-tempered ill-controlled small-minded troll
- Location
- Lancaster... the little city.
yes, the softer* wire brushes are ideal for getting around awkward shapes, but they do get clogged with paint and stripper so you might go through a few brushes.
* not suede brush soft.
Nope phone typing and poor eye sight :-)
PaulSB
Squire
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
I've used a heat gun to strip paint from bannister spindles. It does work but there's a need for real care. It's very, very easy to burn the wood. I wouldn't use one again and definitely not on varnish.
Moodyman
Legendary Member
Paint stripper and metal wire scourer. Might have to buy from a catering supplier for heavy duty ones as the supermarket ones are a bit tame.
Another option…run of the mill spindles and hand rails are cheap and it might save a lot of hassle to change them. Presuming the existing ones are not period or have particular design features.
Another option…run of the mill spindles and hand rails are cheap and it might save a lot of hassle to change them. Presuming the existing ones are not period or have particular design features.
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
You want to be careful with titles like that when there is an ex-pro cyclist calles Jessica Varnish
Not run of the mill stuff , curved and spindles are featured . Decided to hand sand , take longer to do but I just want them cleaned up a bit for clear coat afterwards .
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
Sounds like they may have been painted with a Polyurethane 'varnish' which is a bugger to remove.
