I am refinishing an old Dutch door. How do I get the old paint out of the VERY tight corners?

Question

This is a huge heavy door. Luckily I can work on it in the garage. I have it completely stripped and have started sanding. I have all of the flat surfaces done but I still have the edges and corners to do. I have a orbital 'mouse' sander that gets into some pretty tight places, but some are really tight. Also, it had several layers of paint, it is fairly old and had cracks through some of the joints. I don't think I'll ever get the paint out of those. I keep thinking that if I get it wet it will show me what it will look like when I seal it. or let me see what I still need to clean up...... Is that bad for the wood? Is there a better way? How do I get the paint out of the corners? Help! I feel like I am looking at a lot more work... I don't mind, I just want to know if I am doing it the right way.

Answer 1

You could probably try some paint stripper in conjunction with a soft wire brush. I have a couple that are the size of a toothbrush. They come in handy.

You can also try a paint scraper. They make them in a 1" width for small areas. You'll need to keep the blade sharp with a file for the best result.

If you're hesitant to wet the door to test for paint removal, use mineral spirits. It won't harm the wood and is fairly safe to use.

Answer 2

You didn't say if you are repainting the door or staining it. If you are repainting you don't need to remove every bit of paint. If you are staining, I'd recommend using a heat gun and either a plastic scraper for stripping or a brass bristled brush. Both of these items are used for stripping and will keep you from scratching or gouging the wood. The heat gun will soften the paint enough to allow you to remove it. You can buy one for about $25 at most home centers along with the tools.