Stripping stair banisters help please

Hi all, I know there are many professionals & DIYers on here so can you help me please. This is the second time I've tried to strip my banisters! Didn't remove the varnish properly last time and the paint didn't 'stick' well. This time I'm using the paint/varnish stripper to good effect.

It's not so much the applying of the stripper, it's the 'getting it off' the underside of the hand rail if you know what I mean. Blimey, could be the start of something else here ........ It's the bits that are on the underside of the hand rail, between the spindles.

Seriously, it's driving me mad. I've tried nail brushes and tooth brushes and whilst they work ok to some degree, I'm using my nails more than anything else Still, can't get it all off. I'm determined this time cos I am not doing it again, !!

Any ideas people? Even prepared to buy a tool:hehe:, that's how fed up I am!

Thanks all.

cheers

 

Hi Borrowers. You have my sympathy. I've done a fair bit of paint stripping in my time. It made a great job, but I don't think I could start to it again.
I found my best "tool" was steel wool. You can scrub into all the corners with that. And you can dip it into the paint stripper and keep scrubbing.
Underneath the banister - well sorry, but I think it's a very awkward place and position and you just have to keep applying the stripper and scrubbing at it until the job is done. A real booga.
Just repeat the mantra - it will be lovely when it's done.

 

Thank you Alice. Steel wool - have to get some now. I'll keep the mantra!lol.


cheers

 

My OH has just finished doing our (open plan) stair case. A worse job I cannot imagine :( After buying two different sanders, steel wool, environmentally and user friendly stripping 'creme', he resorted to Nitromors and a face mask!

Our stairs were stained a dark, dark mahogany colour and the nitromors has taken it off beautifully, especially those fiddly little areas, like bannisters. Just make sure you wear breathing and eye masks as it can be lethal and work in a well ventilated room.

 

Yes, Nitromors is what I used. And yes, you do have to wear good protection. It's lethal on the skin or in the eyes. And still needs several goings over,
It will all be worth it......It will all be worth it...

 

Hmmmm, I recall the OH repeating that mantra over and over when he was doing the stairs...

Still, he wasn't working at the time so it kept him out of trouble:D

 

Errr - if it's a 'normal' banister rail, why not just take it off, lay it flat in the back garden (or somewhere convenient), do it in comfort, then screw it back up when you're done? Saves all that 'standing on your head' business.

 

Thank you all. Can't see any way of taking it off Fidgetsmum.

Am using Nitromors and agree that's it's good, it's me that is not, lol. Back to it tomorrow:(

cheers

 

As a retired decorator, you are right, you will not see how to take it off, it doesn't come off.
A useful tool for stripping is a "shave hook", it will get into most places, where you cannot get in with the shave hook, a screw driver (flat blade) or a narrow "Chisel Knife" will be useful.

Make sure you neutralise the Nitromorse with White Spirit, or the new coating may blister.

A Bannister Rail is not a Handrail.

 

Sorry for the dealy in replying Larkshill. OK I'm now going to get a 'shave hook' from B&Q tomorrow. The reason why? (Apart from then trouble I'm having at the mo) is because I can see that the whole of the stairs will need to be done again

Thank you for suggesting this Larks, have tried screwdrivers but may not have been in the right frame of mind to persevere

It's true that the best tools for the job will help you. I've had enough of trying without the knowledge and without the tools

HTML:

:cnfs:

Thank you all, will let you know how it goes. It's taken 3 weeks already just to do the handrail:snz:

cheers