Paint stripper.

[HonestyBox]

Trying to describe this - it is an alkali based stripper that you apply to the surface and then leave covered in cling film for up to a day or two. I'm thinking of trying it on the architraves. I'm stripping them to repaint but the condition is too bad to prepare them in any other way than stripping. I have about 15 layers of paint chipped down to the wood in hundreds of places so not a job I can simply do a light sand on. Now, come and tell me if you have used a stripper like this and how it went. And then tell me to get the professionals in and stop trying to save money.

I have used this. When it is used, a liquid oozes out and this is messy.Are you sure you need this if plan to paint over it? I have visions of chunks of it falling off the vertical surfaces. Aprosessional would sand, fill sand again and prime.

Its not messy-its like a poultice [at least the one i have used is].You can leave it for a few days depending on how many layers it needs to eat through.The company that manufacturers it is called 'strippers' [type in paint removal with it,as i didn't once!].It is brilliant and is tonnes better than nitromors.The paint just scrapes off in a thick gelatinous curl in one go.This is what the professional use.Its time consuming for someone to come ,apply ,then go,so it is more effective for you to do it.

Ah, that's interesting thanks for answering. It is hard to sand, fill and sand because hardly any of it is flat - all wibbly wobbly mouldings. I know it is why none of the woodwork has been painted in this house in 15 years and I'm determined to do something about it.

We have this problem in our house too. The woodwork is all original though (100 years old) so we were worried about potentially stripping old lead based paint, as this can be dangerous. Not sure if this applies to your house though.

I've just been using this! I'm using Kling Strip (from stripperspaintremovers.com they have some great advice there on what stripper to use on what job). I've very successfully removed paint from marble fire surrounds and wooden banisters/balustrades. I would say that you need to be careful scraping the stripper off the wood as the liquid in it makes the wood very soft and easily peels/soft splinters. Also I've had a bit of cracking when the wood dries out but I quite like that for the aged look.

It can be a bit messy to remove but I've had no issues with it "falling off' in situ (even from the underside of mantelpieces - so it easily defies gravity).It can be messy when you strip it off. Because the wood absorbs the liquid it starts to dry and comes off like bits of damp polyfilla/plaster. I'd advise only leaving it on for a few hours at first and check whether that's sufficient to strip - i think I might have over-cooked mine! If the stripper is still quite wet it's easy to scrape it off in "blobs" and deposit them in a suitable container.

Let me know hoe you get on!

*how!

Thanks for the info. Yes, I do have lead paint - almost certainly. But can't see any way forward other than stripping at least some of it. I spoke to DP's dad who has a building company and he basically said 'oh, lead paint, schmed paint', i.e. 'we've all been dealing with lead paint for years and we are still alive' kind of thing. Not a good idea when pregnant though - for anyone reading this. If your lead paint is chipped and flaking off, as mine is, then it is basically depositing lead around the house anyway. Should have moved to a modern house I guess.