removing paint from cornicing

[Tukantoo]

Hi, we are about to redecorate our hallway in our Victorian semi. The original cornicing and ceiling rose is gunged up with a 100 years of paint and I was wondering whether anyone knows of someone with the experience to be able to strip the paint off ready for decoration? It's a relatively small area of cornicing so wouldn't be a big job.

[KidKruger]

Until the job starts you don't know how long it will take - especially if it's 100 yrs gunk !

Distemper and other horrid materials can be stubborn and therefore invalidate any estimates for the work you receive.

[Salsaboy]

What KK said. You may also find that the 100 years of paint is holding the cornicing together.

[boswell]

Sounds a bit strange but I've read online that if the paint is water based (I think) then making up a batch of fairly thick porridge and then plastering that over it and leaving it covered with cling film for a couple of days can often work well. Planning on trying it myself some point soonish.

[Jeremy]

The tip I heard is to soak cotton wool with white spirit, then pack it into the cornicing and secure it with plastic bags and tape.

You sure you're not better off ripping it out and replacing it? You can get some nice stuff, in practically any style...

[jlg]

Try peel away i know people who have had amazing results.

[Tukantoo]

Thanks all. Jlg- peelaway is what I was thinking about- but I want someone to do it who's done it before so as to not ruin it (or at least have best chance of not damaging it). However I've called a few cornicing companies and they said they were essentially too skilled for what is a manual job. I asked a couple of painters and they said they had no experience so I'm a bit lost as to which trade would be best to do the job and also specifically whether there is someone local who can do it.

[Ian Nurock]

Dear Tukantoo, I have used both Peelaway as well as a few other poultices in the removal of paint from cornices and ceiling roses. I am a qualified Conservator (City & Guilds London),living in East Dulwich and could come over with my portfolio of past work examples. Ian

[stevie23b]

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