Removing paint from bannisters

[xanderma]

Our bannisters and handrail used to be stained a dark mahogany.

I then painted over them with white gloss - what a mistake, I didn't use primer or anything, so the paint has peeled in places, in other places it ran so I now have unsightly drip-marks!

Bearing in mind that each spindle has fiddly curved bits, what is the best way to strip the paint?

And is there anything I can do about the awful dark stain underneath?

If I'm going to repaint them white again, what preparation should I do to get it right this time?

Sorry for all the questions, hope someone can help me!

Regards

[carrust]

There are several ways to remove paint
1,By blowtorch or hot-air stripper..cheap but very time consuming,& lots of sanding afterwards.
2, Nitromors...Very messy & tends to strip bare skin also.
3,A product called 'peelaway'...This is a paste which you apply to the substrate & then cover with cloth that's provided.There's a chemical reaction between them,which strips the paint...can work-out expensive.
The dark stain will strip along with the paint.
After stripping & sanding apply an oil-based primer,followed by 2 undercoats & a coat of liquid gloss, do not use non-drip.

[bobwren]

To stop the stain from leaching through the gloss you need to prime the wood with a wood primer containing aluminium. I bought some the other day from Wickes for 6.99 for a litre.

[xanderma]

OK, thanks guys - looks like a lot of work whichever way, no magic wands then!

*rolls sleeves up ready for work...*