How can I remove paint from wood trim with a chemical stripper without harming the floors or walls?
It’s virtually impossible to completely protect floors and walls from chemical paint remover unless you take down the woodwork and strip it elsewhere. If possible, remove the woodwork and lay it flat in a well-ventilated place (like a garage). This will make the job safer for you and easier to clean up. If you need to strip the woodwork on site, tape off the walls and floor with masking tape, plastic, and newspaper. Roll up and replace the newspaper as the sludge accumulates. Expect to recaulk and repaint around the edges. Apply the stripper thickly enough to cover all the paint. Use a gel stripper, which sticks better to vertical surfaces. If you give it plenty of time to work, the paint should come right off. Use a putty knife to remove sludge from flat surfaces. A cotton swab or toothpick can be used to clean out carved details. Lightly scrub the wood with soapy water to remove loose paint, varnish, stain, and stripper. Wipe away remaining sludge with a damp sponge rinsed in clear w
