Removing old varnish

[JohnHH]

In my 1930's house the paintwork peels very easily. The reason is that all the paintwork was covered with a dark varnish/woodstain. It's relatively easy to scrape the paint away, but then you are left with a glue like mess. Paint stripper makes it just a bit more soft, and sandpaper clogs up. Any ideas for a quick and easy remedy, or maby just a remedy?

(PS it may be some time before I test a remdy as I've just completed cleaning off the banister at remarkable cost of time .... and only just now found this website!!!!)

 

[Zampa]

Stick with the paint stripper and dont be tempted to use a blowlamp..the varnish probably contains lead

Is th sticky mess you refer a black type of stuff?

 

[confidentincompetent]

1930's varnish yuk! Nitromorse wont help here, Afraid it needs pickling off with CAUSTIC SODA. Very dangerous If you get any on you. We used to mix in water then add to wallpaper paste apply to varnish, leave an hour then scrape. Involves using common sense when you scrape off (A skarstan scraper is best) Use an old dustpan to collect the muck as you scrape off, then scrub with scotchbright/wirewool The next bit is the worst you now got to get the soda out of wood by rinsing with water, any caustic remaining will spoil any new coating.
Not reccomended!!!!! Try scraping loose off and coating up with ulta grip primer etc.

Good luck and erm welcome to the site