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Original poster

Removing white gloss from wooden banisters - has anyone done this?

18 replies

MadreInglese · 31/03/2009 13:11

Is this possible to do without having to take them all off and get them dipped? Can you get DIY 'dip' solution?

I'd quite like to get them back to wood but just wondering how much of a mahoosive job it would be (house is over 3 floors)

Any tips appreciated.

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sinpan · 31/03/2009 13:16

i did mine years ago. it took weeks every night after work. I burned off the gloss and used wirewool and a solution of caustic soda to get right back to the wood. looks great but I've still got a caustic soda burn. Also as the paint was at least 30 years old, I was probably inhaling all sorts of toxic fumes from the burning. i know you can get non-toxic paint strippers now which would probably be a nuch better option, although it will still take a long time, especially if you've more than a few layers of paint. I wouldn't want to chance dismantling the staircase if it could be avoided.

Original poster
MadreInglese · 31/03/2009 13:23

I wondered about heating it off as my dad has one of those hairdryer-looking contraptions (note my fab technie lingo there!), I just wouldn't want to end up burning the wood.

Might look into the non-toxic paint stripper stuff, hopefully I can just get some from a normal DIY shop.

TBH if I couldn't do it with some sort of solution I'll probably leave them be - not keen on the idea of removing to dip.

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ChippyMinton · 31/03/2009 13:26

I have painted uprights with varnished wood top rail (?) and newel posts, which looks nice - might be an easier compromise if you want some exposed wood?

TheDevilEatsNestle · 31/03/2009 13:27

No bannisters but I did srip[ an oak dresser that had many may layers of white gloss on it. I used this white paint that you apply with a brush and it fizzes and causes the paint to crack and split, then you can scrape it off and sand the wood down, it was very effective and not too much hard work.

Comewhinewithme · 31/03/2009 13:28

We tried to do it using one of the burners it was awful it smelt terrible and took ages.

We gave up and ended up painting over it again .

ChippyMinton · 31/03/2009 13:30

like this but with the newel posts stripped

bosch · 31/03/2009 13:30

Dh did our bannister handrail only (and only one flight of stairs too)ten years ago with a sort of paint on/peel off product. We left the uprighty bits white painted.

I think he was glad when he'd finished iyswim. Under the white gloss paint was a sort of artificial dark wood paint finish which I seem to remember him swearing about a bit.

sinpan · 31/03/2009 13:36

We did burn a bit before we got it right, so a burner is probably not the best way to go. The stripper is the best idea. If there are lots of layers you'll have to apply it a few times, and the sanding will be a bit of a fidget on the bannisters. Sometimes if the wood is old there are dips and chips where the paint has soaked in and you really can't get it off. But if you can spare the time it will look lovely when it's done. if not, try ChippyMinton's idea or do like Comewhinewithme and paint over it again - I did the job before I had children, when my time was less precious, i'm not sure I'd do it now.

Original poster
MadreInglese · 31/03/2009 13:38

I'd rather go down the easier/quicker route as we have so much banister I didn't want to be a couple of hours into it and then give up because I realise it will take me 1000000 hours.

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Original poster
MadreInglese · 31/03/2009 13:39

Although on the other hand if it's not to much of a trauma to do it and it will look nice then it'll be worth a bit of work.

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wingandprayer · 31/03/2009 13:41

Would suggest checking that wood under paint is worth stripping back to first. I suffered god knows how many burns stripping back 1920's window only to find wood underneath was really crappy and not at all nice to look at. Had to repaint the lot, cried.

NorbertDentressangle · 31/03/2009 13:42

Like bosch we stripped the handrail part but left the spindles painted which actually looks really nice.

To strip the handrail DP got some heavyduty industrial strength stuff from the builders merchants. You had to smear it on, cover it with clingfilm or something like clingfilm IIRC and then peel it all off. Hey presto!

Having had experience of using Nitromors(?) and heat guns and scrapers in the past I wouldn't bother with them anymore -just go for the hard stuff

MrsMattie · 31/03/2009 13:43

We had black gloss (shudder) on our banisters when we moved in. It took (our lovely handyman!) 5 full days of sanding and stripping to get it off. It was nightmarish, actually. But so worth it.

Original poster
MadreInglese · 31/03/2009 13:46

Ah good point wingandprayer.

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Original poster
MadreInglese · 31/03/2009 13:47

Black gloss banisters?? WTF?

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janmoomoo · 31/03/2009 20:36

Another one who stripped the banisters but left the spindles. I did two lots of paint stripper which is easy peasy, then sanded with electric mouse sander thing. Not really too much work.

LikerabbitsBX · 02/04/2009 14:45

Great stuff I used was Peel away 7 - It is a whole kit that can be washed away with water when finished.

Great stuff and saved me many hours of stripping!

LongDroopyBoobyLady · 02/04/2009 14:48

We used a burner, then wire wool and Nitromorse (not sure of spelling). Took ages but looks fab.

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