Why are my wooden rails sticky ?

[deedee87]

Hi Guys

I know this seems like a really silly question, but I am at a loss what to do, and have tried ever conventional method. Let me explain. I have mobility issues, and was provided with a wooden hand rail going up my stairs, some years ago. They were treated with a clear varnish.

Every couple of weeks or so, I wipe these down, with either a cleaning solution like Flash, or Washing up liquid. Over the last two weeks, they have been getting sticky to the touch, very sticky, now I have no young children or anyone with sticky hands, yet the rails feel like I have painted them with honey.

I have tried Flash, Cif/Jif. Washing Up Liquid, Turps, A solution of turps and oil and water. and nothing helps. I have tried scrubbing them with the green side of a sponge . The stickiness remains

Would another coat of clear satin varnish help, or would I still feel the stickiness. Do they need to be sanded down again What about sugar soap ?

Its going to be me doing the work, hence me hoping to find some ideas before I embark on what will be a for me a tricky job.

Any ideas or suggestions would really be appreciated. Take care all

 

[big-all]

could be resin from a pocket or knot
is it in a specific area!!

 

[deedee87]

Hi Big-All

Thank you for taking the time to reply. No its all over the wood, going all the way up the staircase, every single bit of the wood is sticky. I have tried every cleaning product known, then let each dry, and its still sticky. I have no idea what to do now. .

 

[Burnerman]

It would seem, deedee, that your cleaning products have somehow reacted with the varnish that was originally applied.
So, don't clean your handrail for a while, and see if the surface hardens again.
If it does, then a light sanding followed by a coat of polyurethane varnish should give you a hard finish......
As you can tell, this is not a common occurrence!
John

 

[deedee87]

Hi Burnerman. I really appreciate your reply. Okay will leave the rail alone for a couple of weeks, to see if the varnish coating hardens up again. Just wondering what I can do, if it doesn't Could I just sand it very lightly ( I am a lazy sander lol) and varnish over it ??. Take care

 

[Burnerman]

If the varnish doesn't harden up again then I guess its a case of removing it with a chemical such as nitromors or similar......I think soft varnish would clog up abrasive paper big time but its worth a try over a small area, perhaps underneath as an experiment.
As a last resort (never having seen this before) I guess the rail could be chemically dipped to remove all surface coatings - but that means you'll be without the rail for a while and I don't know if thats possible.
Wishing you luck!
John

 

[foxhole]

Did you use a water based vanish? [i.e you clean brushes in water after use] some detergents will reactivate this and leave it sticky.

 

[Muzz]

i have a similar sounding problem on an ikea chair. i suspect the missus cleaned the arm rests with something she shouldn't have and years later they still feel sticky (and look a lot dirtier now)

one day it may get sanded and re-varnished, too many other things to do first though....

 

[deedee87]

Hi John

Thank you for your suggestions. I have used nitromors before, years ago. Lethal stuff lol. Will look into seeing if I can get it dipped. Plus how long it would take, how long I would be without the rail. And will test a small area sanding wise to see if that can be done as well. Thanks for the luck, I think I am going to need it . Take care Dee

 

[deedee87]

Hi Foxhole

The Hand Rail was put up and varnished by a Carpenter, years ago.I am not sure if it was water based or needed a solvent to clean it.

 

[Burnerman]

Dee, at the end of the day it could be quicker to get a new rail....maybe it wouldn't be that expensive.
A helpful chippy could use the same brackets and have the thing up in an hour, no problem.
John

 

[deedee87]

Hi John

Now this is going to sound even sillier, "Why didnt I think of that" Time and effort wise that will be cheaper. Going to get some quotes. Thats a weight off my mind Take care
Dee

 

[Burnerman]

Dee, if you lived up here I'd do it for nowt, but apparently London is a large place a little south of here.....
I've been there once and someone had a go at pinching my wallet
They didn't get it
Be lucky and best wishes
John

 

[deedee87]

Aww John, Bless you.


Thats really kind of you,. Northumberland is that anywhere to do with Cumbia - Keswick ?. If so when I was much much younger, I broke my ankle monkey jumping down those mountains, got my foot caught in a rabbit hole lol . Gorgeous area of the world

Yep you got to hold on to your bits and pieces down here, Im afraid. Its not everyday or everywhere, but it still happens.

Have a great week.

 

[Burnerman]

Thank you Dee
Northumberland is due East of the Lake District, I'm very familiar with Keswick and I'm there in 1 1/2 hours. Its an inspiring place - sadly heavily flooded last November. I restored a house there in 2001.
I'm fortunate to overlook the Tyne valley to the south and I can see the sea far off to the east. I have to say, I don't want to live anywhere else! It doesn't suit everyone, though.
Hope all goes well!
John