Off topic: stripping gloss paint from staircase

[Fuzzy]

I need to get my arse into gear and get the house decorating finished, then I can concentrate on more important things like classic video games.

I wanted to replace the bannister in our house, but to cut a long story short, it's not worth the effort and expense, so instead I'm just going to strip and repaint it.

Can any of you DIY-types tell me the best way to do this - with paint stripper or a heat gun?

If the former, any recommendations for a good paint stripper brand would be appreciated, too.

Thanks in advance.

 

[forcefulfil]

I have a few heat guns.argos/screw fix sell em cheap
and a good set of sanders
I dont like using paint stripper unless I have too ideally on any awkward parts
or near glass pains etc
stripper aint cheap but may be a faster way.
personally I prefer heat gun may take longer and gives off fumes
beware of old lead paint too
Ud need a good respiratory mask for chemical/fumes and goggles for either
all the ppe is cheapforcefulfil2015-01-15 11:17:46

 

[Fuzzy]

Cheers Phil. I hadn't even thought about a respiratory mask.

I guess I could do this with sanding alone?

 

[Equites]

I ended up removing all the white gloss paint from our door frames as the wife wanted to varnish them.

I tried to use a heat gun but found it very time consuming, and it can easily damage the wood if you are not careful (or you!).

In the end, I used nitromors, which was far more effective.

Basically, apply it on with a brush, be generous. Allow it work do its thing and you will see paint bubbling off.

Use one of those kitchen stainless steel scourers to help take the paint off once nitromors has finished. Keep repeating this process until you get all layers off.

Finally, once you get down to bare wood the wood will still look white washed. Again, apply some nitromors, but not so generous this time.

Now use steel wool to get the remaining paint on the surface of the wood.

EDIT: Nitromors has now been tamed, and no longer as aggressive (changed formula). This stuff is more potent;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121165488412?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITEquites2015-01-15 12:14:42

 

[Russ J]

Heat Gun Jay

Nitromoors is sh*te know,the potancy of the stuff is no where near as good as it was a few years back...When I were restoring the BMX bikes Nitromoors was fantastic for stripping the gold 'Superchrome' coating on the Raleigh 'SuperBurner' models,but since the stuff has changed it couldn't strip the skin off a cold tub of custard

Russ J2015-01-15 21:10:45

 

[Fuzzy]

Thanks Nad, Russ

I'll be repainting the wood once I've stripped it, so not too worried about a bit of damage to it.

And then there's the walls to sort. And then the floors. And then the fireplace. And then the electrics. And then the kitchen. THEN, and ONLY THEN can I claim my half of the lounge for games and stuff.

 

[Bods]

I've done the same with BMX's

I stripped a Superburner frame too of the Superchrome, can't remember which I used, but it was good, was a few years back

The Superchrome looks so cool when it's new. I sold my Super Tuff though, lovely bikes those are