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Stripping gloss paint off 30s door handles

6 replies

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 16/12/2015 10:07

Looking for advice on how to remove gloss paint from the Deco finger plate on one of our doors. On one side of the door it's the original chrome, with a bakelite handle, on the other for some reason both have been painted umpteen times with white gloss. I'd love to restore it but I'm not sure Nitromors or wire wool etc won't ruin the chrome and/or bakelite at the same time as taking the gloss off. Had a Google and most suggestions seem to be for car parts, so fir spray paint rather than household gloss. Oh, and the layers of paint mean it's well nigh impossible to take the screws out, so if I could strip it while still attached (or at least start off the process till I could remove it) that would be great! Thanks.

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wowfudge · 16/12/2015 11:41

I've stripped paint from the 30s rim locks, keeps and door knobs in our house, using Nitromors, but they weren't Bakelite or chrome - metal of some sort with brass and wood knobs. I did find that where I couldn't loosen painted screws, DP could (how annoying!) - if you can tighten them slightly that breaks the seal of the paint and you may be able to unscrew them then.

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TheGirlOnTheLanding · 16/12/2015 19:31

I'll give that a try with the screws, Wow, thanks. Bit nervous of wrecking the chrome with a harsh chemical like Nitromors but I can't think what else to try.

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wowfudge · 16/12/2015 20:10

I think the key thing is to work the paint stripper with something gentle - like a soft brush and not steel wool which could scratch the chrome.

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Twittwattwoo2 · 21/12/2015 08:11

I put our 30s cupboard latches (some sort of metal) in a pan of boiling water water with a bit bicarb in. After about 20 mins you could see the paint starting to come off, I left them
a bit longer then removed, cooled slightly and rubbed the remaining paint off.

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moopymoodle · 31/12/2015 15:16

I saw a youtube video once where they removed them all and put them in the slow cooker on high. The paint just pealed straight off, was amazing!

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DoesntLeftoverTurkeySoupDragOn · 31/12/2015 15:18

Maybe dab paint stripper onto the screws with a fine brush and remove the paint from there so you can get the handle off. Then try one of the other methods.

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