What are the better ways to remove white paint from something that should never have been painted, the dark wooden bannister and side panels of an original staircase? I'm not sure about the type of wood - poss mahogany? Can it be done sensitively, or do I have to leave it?
- Thread starter Michael55
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First off, a note of caution; the old paints may be lead based so you should assume that suitable PPE is vital while removing and disposing of the old paint. Chemical strippers and perhaps BAHCO scrapers are your best and tools for the job. The extent and nature of decorative designs of the stairs will determine how much work may be needed to remove all the paint. Some care with chemical strippers is needed both from a personal safety perspective as burns can result and also because the chemicals may bleach the wood.