How Do I Remove?

[Mpeng82]

Evening All,

Firstly thank you for reading and any advice you can offer.

I am trying to decorate my father's home and on stripping the skirting boards I have found what I can only presume as varnish under the layers of white paint I have removed.

I say skirting boards, this is over every wooden object you can find, door frames the lot.

To remove so far, I have tried (and failed):-

Heat gun - turns it sticky but still remains
No nonsense paint remover- no reaction
Sanding - using 120grit again no difference

I really want to make this job as good as I can as my dad is disabled, unable to decorate himself and this will be the first time his home will have been decorated since my mother died 10years ago.

Hopefully the images are visible, and again thank you

Matt

[dewaltdisney]

This looks like coal tar varnish, it was popular in the 1920/30s and was a by-product of Town Gas made from coal. It was used as it was a quick finish, you could slap it on, it was cheap and it fitted the fashion of the times. It is awful stuff and difficult to remove so I suggest that you smooth off any nibs and cover it with Zinsser Bin, Bin is a shellac-based primer and two coats will seal it up ready for a top coat. Read my link below in Blue as there is a guidance on using Bin which might help. It is pointless trying to remove the varnish just seal it and paint over. Come back id you need more.

DWD

[dynamod]

Some of these legacy finishes can be cleaned off with meths and wire wool, but it's an awful, filthy and time consuming job.

Given the potential age of the coating, I'd be using a valved respirator while sanding it, as it's unlikely to be as eco-friendly as modern paints. You don't want to breathe the dust from paint from that era.

[dewaltdisney]

Yes, I did not want to frighten the OP as has been intimated in the past that this dust can be carcinogenic. But with a bit of care you should be okay, that is why sealing is the best approach.

DWD

[dynamod]

Wet sanding with silicone carbide abrasive (aka wet & dry sandpaper) is a good workaround in situations where potentially toxic dust/vapour may be generated.

+1 for minimal prep and on with BIN

[Mpeng82]

Thank you very much for your quick responses.