removing varnish from a bannister

[19ardagh70]

hi all.
I want to strip the varnish from my bannister rail. Sanding it would be really messy and a lengthy process. Can anyone recommend a product to paint on that would help with this. It will be an indoor job as i cannot remove it outside. It is a well ventilated area.
Many thanks
samantha

 

[tall paul]

nitromorse..... give it a good soaking first then after you've got the majority off,put some more nitromors in a suitable container and re-do the bannister with a fine wire wool thats been soaked in the nitromors..when you think its all off,clen down with white spirits,meths and bobs yer uncle


dont forget P.P.E. Goggles and suitable rubber gloves are essential with plenty of ventillation

 

[19ardagh70]

Lovely, thanks for taking the time to reply..off to the DIY shop tomorrow then.

 

[oilman]

Before you head for Nitromors or any other methylene chloride stripper, what type of varnish do you have on your bannisters? Is your property old or newish? If it's old, the varnish may be shellac based, inwhich case Meths will do.

 

[19ardagh70]

The house was built in 86 but its quite a bad varnish job so i suspect it was done by a previous owner. its quite soft wood i think and very pale underneath, and strips away very easy with sandpaper but its the spindle's that make me want to use a product as it will take so long and it a big staircase.Shall i try meths first

 

[tall paul]

you could try meths first for the cheapest option but i recon you'll be nirtomorsing them later,

 

[19ardagh70]

Maybe i should just paint them

 

[oilman]

You can never cover up a bad job by adding something on top. It has to start good, and then you have to work at it to make it better.

 

[tall paul]

yep... preperation is 9 tenths of a job

 

[19ardagh70]

Actually, they dont look that bad now that i look at them, I may just leave it, save up and then pay someone else to do it
Many thanks for all the advice fellas
You can tell i'm female (yes, i changed it)

 

[Sandy Beech]

Actually, they dont look that bad now that i look at them, I may just leave it, save up and then pay someone else to do it
Many thanks for all the advice fellas
You can tell i'm female

From this angle yes it is a bit of a give away

 

[19ardagh70]

Ah yes, but at least i sort of show willing

 

[chuckalicious]

Actually, they dont look that bad now that i look at them, I may just leave it, save up and then pay someone else to do it
Many thanks for all the advice fellas
You can tell i'm female

From this angle yes it is a bit of a give away

Needless to say I will never look at the icon the same way again

 

[19ardagh70]

ohhh...thats rude and i didnt realise, unusually for me .