Replace instead of sand?

[scorpiogirly]

I posted this in property but posting here for traffic.

I live in a 1930s house and it has solid oak architrave and skirting upstairs.

I have started sanding the old woodstain off but it is taking forever. The skirting is the worst, it takes a lot of effort to just get one patch sanded nicely.

Should I give up and get a joiner to replace the architrave and skirting? I want the room finished fairly quickly.

It's not as if downstairs matches, it's obviously been replaced at some point.

Pic of how far I didn't get

Are you sanding by hand?

I'm using a mouse and a detail sander

Easiest would be to paint it. I guess you’re dead set on a wood finish?

Yeah. I inherited the house from my mother when she passed away. She spent a lot of time stripping the paint off all the wood in the house so I don't think I could paint it again. Plus I prefer the wood look. Not keen on painted wood

Have you tried a carbide scraper?

www.screwfix.com/p/harris-heavy-duty-tungsten-carbide-wood-scraper-2/45940

They will help you get most of the paint off on flat surfaces. They require a certain technique to avoid gouging the wood but there are plenty of furniture restoration/upcycling videos on YouTube which will show you how. Curved or detailed parts will still require sanding but a scraper might speed things up.

Personally I wouldn't replace it but I understand why you are considering it.

You said the house was 1930's so I'd consider getting a lead test kit. If there is any lead paint then there are recommended methods for removing it safely which might make more work and influence your decision.

If you are thinking about removing it to replace you could investigate removing it to "dip" which will save you all the hassle of paint stripping.

Sorry I see it's stain not paint. Ignore the lead paint advice.

One more thought...?

If it's stain, not varnish you could look into "bleaching" the stain out with oxalic acid and then do a fine finishing sand. Again lots of videos on YouTube about how to do that.

Fab thank you. I've spent 14 quid today on sanding sheets and sponges. Not a great deal I know. Just getting a draper multi tool thingie which has tiny sanding heads. Hopefully this will help. Will look into bleaching though.

Hate to be the stripping know it all but if you've never used a multi tool before I would urge caution. They spin at an extraordinary rate and you'll have scalloped woodwork in a couple of seconds if you're not very careful. Don't ask me how I know. Try it on a piece of scrap wood first to get a feel for it.