Restoring coving

[karron]

We have some ornate coving in the hall which has been emulsioned to death. There is a fake ceiling in a hall cupboard and we've been putting some pipes in above this. As a consequence we have found some coving in pretty much perfect condition. It's beautiful and ornate. This has got me thinking about how to restore the rest.

I know we could get new made but my husband won't agree to having it ripped out and I can see his point. So any ideas?

I saw something years ago, they got cotton wool and soaked it in something, and secured it to the coving to remove the old paint.

There's some stuff you stick on that SPAB recommends - hang on while I go and look it up....

PeelAway.

Someone at work was raving about Peelaway- 1 and 7 two different types- worth a google

If you try it, let us know how you get on, OP.
The house I'm buying has very fancy coving which is all gummed up with paint and it would be hugely satisfying to sharpen it up again, but I'm nervous of making it worse!

I will report back but might not be for a while as it is going on a very long job list! Will try it on some less fancy coving first as will be in big trouble with DH if it goes wrong.