What can I do about dark blue banister and baseboards?

Question

Just bought a new(old) house and can't seem to get rid of the dark blue paint on my wooden surfaces in the living room and stairs. I don't want to repaint them. I would like natural wood. (It's cherry).

Janet Pizaro · Answer

You can try WD40, Goof Off, Goo Gone or Krud Kutter.

Jen R · Answer

Have you tried a paint stripper? That is what I would use (and have used) to remove paint on wood surfaces. There are several brands and some that are environmentally friendly (less toxic) than others. Whichever you chose, work in a well ventilated area.

Susan · Answer

There are ' low to no' VOC strippers.  Just read the labels.  Strippers are much more user friendly and efficient than they used to be.  Buy the kind you paint on thickly and lay paper over while it pulls up all those layers.  You probably need to check for lead while you are at it.

Theresa Davis · Answer

You can either use a electric sander or use a primer paint called kills or keels

Barbara · Answer

Try Citristrip - it works really well without too much smell. Do small areas at a time & wrap the area with plastic wrap after you spread on the Citristrip. The plastic helps it work & will help you keep the kids from bumping into the wet stripper. Wait the recommended time unwrap & scrape off the lifted paint. Wipe area clean, move on to the next area. After all the paint is stripped - sand with a sanding block, wipe with a tack cloth & refinish to your taste. Good Luck. I did this in a home several years ago & it took a couple of weeks to get the job done, but it was so worth it. When I sold the home everyone who passed through commented on the pretty stair railings.

MN Mom · Answer

Agree with the posts here for trying a stripper in small sections at a time. I don't know of a process using household cleaners that will remove layers of paint from wood.

William · Answer

Two great environmentally safe strippers are Muti-Strip and Ready Strip. They are both biodegradable, non-flammable, non-combustible and contain no methylene chloride or caustic. They are odor-free and can be easily cleaned up with water. As a paste they cling easily to vertical surfaces and completely fill detailed areas. A bit pricey, but the claim is they can remove up to 15 layers of paint in one application. The longer they stay on, the more paint they remove.

Elizabeth Burrows · Answer

Forget stripping - unless you have a lifetime to devote to the task and have a love-on for mess. Kilz primer ( thick stuff) will cover it up - then paint on top. Promise you it works - I have covered lots of shiny black stair rails with the stuff and painted with a white and won!! 2 years later & all is well.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

To add the the products I mentioned do in fact work.It will depend on how much paint is there which was not stated.

ReneJackson · Answer

I will get something you suggest. Home Depot?

ReneJackson · Answer

Bought one of the products suggested and coated the banister today the wrapped it plastic. Even though I need to keep it on until tomorrow I can see it starting to work. The beautiful cherry color is coming through!  Thanks to all

Susan · Answer

@ReneJackson, thanks for the update!  Keep us posted

ReneJackson · Answer

Finished stripping the banister still working on baseboards. The wood looks great even though I had to reapply in tiny spaces. Thanks to all for ideas.

What can I do about dark blue banister and baseboards?

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What can I do about dark blue banister and baseboards?

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