Removing wax from wood

[Golfer1]

Hi there,

I have a simple question for the exprts out there.

I've just bought a 1930s house where the previous owners meticulously stripped every last inch of wood bare of paint and applied wax to finish it.

They've done the lot - skirting boards, staircase rails and spindles, door frames - you name it!

Not being a huge fan of waxed wood everywhere I wish to strip it back and prime/undercoat/topcoat it.

What do you think the best product is for stripping wax? You can buy specialist wax remover made by comapnies such as HG, but it's damned expensive. I wondered if good old fashioned paint stripper / meths / white spirit would be just as good (and a lot cheaper).

I thought that once I have got back to the bare wood I might be better using an oil based primer and undercoat (rather than water based) in case there was any tiny residue left anywhere.

Anyone tackled this before?

Thanks in advance,

Golfer1

 

[Zampa]

Your more or less there..

id try meths first.....use one of those scourer things....the metal ones as opposed to wire wool though

If that doesnt work try white spirit....

Last resort.paint stripper

The main thing is you neutralise the paint stripper before you start painting....you can do this by washing with warm water and detergent..but this may swell the grain in the wood....or you can use white spirit

You right to go for a oil based primer..it should have better adhesion and uunlike acrylic wont react with the white spirit.

Dont forget the knotting before you prime.

One thing to bear in mind....have you the budget to strip some of the wood out and replace it with new stuff?....its a lot less hassle and normally quicker.

 

[Golfer1]

Thanks for the advice Zampa - all useful!

I may well strip some of the wood out completly and replace with new. I did that in the last place - old Victorian semi with 20 layers of paint everywhere. Much easier

I'll see how I go with the meths / white spirit approach. If it's a pig, I'll get more drastic!

I note your point on neutralising the paint stripper (if I use it). Would I just wipe it down thoroughly with white spirit?

Thanks for your help

 

[Zampa]

Yep....but use plenty......and the scourer

 

[brettjbuckley]

We had a similarly problem - although in reverse, the previous owners had gloss painted all of the woodwork about 10 times (incidentally, along with the radiators, pipes and even door hinges) - and we wanted a waxed wood finish.

In the end I ripped off the old architraves and put new pine ones on. I also bought some 6mm strip wood and glue/tacked it onto the insides of the door frames to hide the old glossed wood. it took some time but I got nice results. Only disadvantage - I ended up with doorways about 1cm less wide than before.