Stripping skirting board : should I give up?

[joe-90]

why oh why when people strip finishes do they not use paint stripper. You can buy an eco stripper water based thats harmless, no burns, no odours - just brush it on in a thick coat on ALL the skirting, leave it from 30mins to a hour or so, go have a cup of tea, come back and scrape the soft paint off with a paint scraper then repeat until stripped. Supplier is Natech (in Staffs I think) sandings effective but boy what a job

actually edit that, sanding a finish off can wreck the job if you are finishing with a clear varnish.....

What a load of cobblers. Stripper is awful stuff and the water based stuff is useless.

 

[matz]

yeh I know, it wasnt really directed at you more to a wider audience who seem to think the only is the sanding way. At least with your way the grain of the wood will be nicely filled so the finished paint coat should be superb

A point about these new strippers, they're water based not solvent based, totally safe to use but yes, you would need to cover everything up much the same as if you were painting..

 

[joe-90]

They don't work on very high gloss surfaces.

 

[matz]

They don't work on very high gloss surfaces.

interesting, I'll test it - theres no finish I've found that it wont shift yet. Are we talking about the same product? these strippers have been out for years now but in various forms and not all of them work very well...

 

[joe-90]

Why are you obsessed with these products? I guess you must be selling them eh?

 

[CookEe01]

I've gone through at least 4 coats of gloss on the skirting, one of which was red???? I'm a bit old fashioned with stuff and I'm happy with my sandpaper, knowing I can't really wreck anything...tell you what, I've done a blummin good job (even if I say so myself). They look like brand new. I'm really chuffed.

I left solvent remover on whilst I went out (to remove old sealant from PVC beading around windows). I worried so much that I came back early. Had visions of the stuff burning into my windows (course, it didn't). Not too familiar with solvents / paint strippers so stick with what I know.

And talking of windows, I've found 2" gaps in the PVC strips around the windows - why would anyone do that? Need to buy new PVC and fit that now (I can't leave it with gaps in). This house is slowly driving me barmy.

 

[matz]

Why are you obsessed with these products? I guess you must be selling them eh?

no I'm not obsessed with anything nor do I sell paint stripper

 

[joe-90]

Then why are you always banging on about it. They are rubbish.

 

[jondecs]

Have to agree water based /eco strippers are crap. Like trying to strip paint with Swarfega hand cleaner.

 

[matz]

Then why are you always banging on about it. They are rubbish.

sure, no problem - must be why I use it on alot of stuff then - its safe and its better than sanding (which most DIYers seem to be hell bent on) and if I find it strips really high gloss paint, I can assure you I'll post it here..

 

[joe-90]

Come on mate, you've got a vested interest. They are rubbish as any pro will tell you.

 

[matz]

Come on mate, you've got a vested interest. They are rubbish as any pro will tell you.

seriously, yes they can be rubbish - you have to pick and choose what you use them on unlike Nitromores type which will strip anything and fast. I've used this on two jobs recently 1) 3 interior old oak panelled doors and archetraves which were varnished and the stripper made the finish fall off. 2) exterior pine window frames varinshed, again the finish came off easily. Yes its mucky and slimy but thats balanced out by the fact that its safe (unlike methyene Chloride based) and it stays workable (ie doesnt dry out fast like Nitromores) so you can coat up a greater area at once. another thing this stuff does is rip the finish out of the grain so the wood is totally stripped with no residue but ideally you need to leave it to dry a few days - granted not commercial but safe. If I were stripping paint and varnish from domestic fixtures where speed wasnt of essence, this is what I'd use.

If you want to strip and refinish a load of stuff in half a day then it aint the thing to use but for DIY, its not a bad product...

no again, I dont have a vested interest but I have used strippers for over 30yrs

 

[WalksWithTurkeys]

My limited experience with stripping is that I much prefer to sand down and paint over than strip. Stripping paint takes so damned long. And I assume if you strip you have to apply primer again.

Have to agree water based /eco strippers are crap. Like trying to strip paint with Swarfega hand cleaner.

I tried some Eco Solutions paint remover for interior oil paint on wood and it worked a treat. It was much better than Nitromors as it lacked the vile smell, did not burn skin and it spread better. But you have to leave it on overnight for it to work properly. It does not leave any residues that harm subsequent paint applications. I guess from your post there are brands that are scheisse.

Several online sites recommended porridge, so I tried it. Yeah, have a good laugh at the numpty. Someone was extracting the Michael. Mind you, it was worth a try, some online ideas are good, but not all ...

 

[matz]

dont think anyone is advocating stripping a finish just so you then repaint it again unless its so encrusted that it needs it off but for timber that is going to be varnished, its better than sanding. I was only replying to the topic title really as it mentioned stripping. With hindsight, the guy was repainting so didnt need to actually strip. Hopefully this thread gives some food for thought for those attracted by the title who are wondering how best to get a finish off wood. And if anyone is in any doubt about the dangers of nitromore type products just google "methylene chloride paint stripper danger"

 

[jondecs]

Can't see what the problem with Nitromors is? Bit of a smell ok But theres lots worse stuff like caustic soda~~~ pair of rubber gloves and be sensible no probs. Safe in the right hands
Afraid I just cant wait overnight. Stripped a pinted exterior oak door recently with nitromor's and was able to put primer on before I went home.