Asked on Aug 28, 2017

Removing handles stuck with paint

Francesca
by Francesca
any suggestions on how to remove handles that are stuck on drawer fronts due to paint? The chest is pine so quite soft wood and I'm trying to avoid damage.

  4 answers
  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Aug 28, 2017

    Well, if I was redoing the chest, I would use paint remover like Citristrip, painting it around the edges of the hardware and working it loose. If I was not worried about removing the old finish, I would apply to the entire drawer and work it loose. Sometimes you can push from the inside with a screwdriver after removing the screw. If it's heavily painted, it's possible you are going to remove some of the finish along with the hardware. Sometimes you can loosen hardware by sliding a thin blade under the edge, but, you're more likely to gouge the wood. Hope this helps.

  • Narevalo Narevalo on Aug 28, 2017

    You can go around the edges with a straight blade so that you loosen the paint without it ripping of any of the finish or paint from the surrounding area.

    • Francesca Francesca on Aug 28, 2017

      Thanks I'm going to try this followed by the citristrip as suggested.

  • Mary Coakley Mary Coakley on Aug 28, 2017

    Try rolling a candle on the drawer frame it partly worked for me you could also try try fine sandpaper

  • Francesca Francesca on Aug 28, 2017

    thank you . That's something I'll try.