Paint stripping in an easy and environmentally friendly way - is this possible?

[PeterPomegranate]

Our bannisters have many years and presumably layers of gloss paint. We think the house was built late 1920s / early 1930s.

I’m looking for recommendations for how I can strip the paint as easily as possible (I know it will be messy) and also as environmentally friendly way as possible?

Any advice or experience welcome please?

Hot air gun. Less dust, but more fumes. Danger of scorching the wood so not a good idea if you want to lacquer the wood after. If painting again then that is fine.

I did my stairs with a hot air gun and scraper after wasting a long time trying to sand.

Its a hell of a job!
By the look of it each of your bannister rails has four sides, and it is tricky getting into the joins etc.
There are companies who specialise in this you could see what they say / cost.

I would use a hot air gun and a scraper. You need to be gentle but it's doable. I did all the skirting boards & stairs in our Victorian house using this method and they came up beautifully, despite many many layers of paint! Perhaps consider getting the balustrades dipped? We also chose that option - we had all the doors done at the same time...I was losing the will with the stripping by that stage

Thank you!

How would I get them dipped if they’re attached?

Infra-red heat guns are great and don't leave scorch marks. Just bought a recon one so I can strip old paint off sash windows. Google speedheater cobra and see if it might fit what you want.

I think there is some sort of paste that you apply and leave and then peel off....anyway its a slow tedious job....I just repainted all mine and that was awful enough...!

Honestly I’d buy a new bannister before I started trying to manually strip that, seriously only do it if you’ve a high boredom threshold and can do mind numbing jobs for days on end.

@MissLemon18

Infra-red heat guns are great and don't leave scorch marks. Just bought a recon one so I can strip old paint off sash windows. Google speedheater cobra and see if it might fit what you want.

This looks great although super expensive! I wonder if I can hire one?

@Bluntness100

Honestly I’d buy a new bannister before I started trying to manually strip that, seriously only do it if you’ve a high boredom threshold and can do mind numbing jobs for days on end.

But it’s an original bannister. I’d be so sad to say goodbye.

Thank you everyone who has replied. I’m glad I asked.