Banister/balustrade restoration advice!

[Lightninginabox]

How do I sand this down? What with?

i was hoping it would be an old French polish, but I think it’s actually varnish.

Really love it as a feature so anxious to get it right!

Not really possible to sand, far too many nooks and crannys.
Sand blasting would work if the area can be sealed off sufficiently else you're looking at it all being disassembled and dipped/blasted off site.

Why are you sanding it? Are you painting it or do you just want to get the paint drips off?

Personally I’d get that sand or air blasted

Definitely not painting it, just want to get the paint drips off. Might just sand the banister itself.

You could try gently wiping the painty bits with white spirit on a cotton bud? If you sand it you will damage the finish. If that doesn't work try brush cleaner.

Going to go and have a look at it tomorrow! White spirit a good idea.

There’s no way I can get it sandblasted now.