We’ve spent many a day removing varnish from woodwork, and while the results can be stunning, it’s a messy, time-consuming job. The ideal place to do the job is outdoors to avoid the fu… ...

Depending on the age of the wood, there could be several coatings that the paint stripper has to work its way through, including hard-to-remove milk paint and an original coat of varnish.

In preparing the woodwork, keep in mind that paint sticks better to a dull surface. One way to remove its gloss is with a chemical solvent deglosser. Rub on the deglosser with a clean rag.