Refresh Old Wood Trim Finish

Chemical stripping is probably the gentlest method of removing the old paint and varnish.
Refresh Old Wood Trim Finish
Maintaining your home will make it comfortable to live in. Procreators/Shutterstock
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Dear James: The woodwork in my old house could use refinishing. Much of it has complex, intricate profiles. What is the best way to strip it without breaking it?—Patty G.

Dear Patty: Woodwork in many older houses is truly stunning when it is properly refinished, but care must be taken not to destroy any of the detail when stripping it. The old wood may be brittle, so don’t try too hard to remove the pieces if they seem securely attached.

James Dulley
James Dulley
Author
Send your questions to Here's How, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244, or visit Dulley.com. To find out more about James Dulley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at Creators.com. Copyright 2025 Creators.com