Removing Paint then varnishing

[CJwilson]

Hi

I have stripped white paint off my bannister and the wooden "fence" at the top off my stairs (sorry I don't know what it's actually called!).

I used paint stripper and sandpaper and i'm down to the bare wood but there are still specks of paint here and there and bits in tricky corners that I can't reach.

I want to varnish it so it has an oak effect/colour.

What type of varnish should I used and will the small bits of paint be visible through the varnish?

Thanks

CJ

 

[mrpercysnodgrass]

Hi CJ, you will need to remove all traces of paint otherwise it will show through the varnish. A very sharp chisel is best but if you don't have the means to resharpen you can buy a number of different scrapers to help get the paint off from tight corners. There are a number of them here http://www.axminster.co.uk/catalogsearc ... nt+scraper I think the one that will suit your needs is this one http://www.axminster.co.uk/faithfull-tc ... rip-handle I would get one or two spare blades while you are there.
As for varnish, most is water based which is perfectly okay but I would always go for good old fashioned polyurethane varnish, my pine staircase and bannister was coated with this fifteen years ago and still looks good even with an army of kids thundering up and down it and wet towels being draped over the handrail. Hardwax oil is also very good, easy to apply and gives a nice satin sheen.

 

[CJwilson]

Thanks for replying.