"Honestly, sanding's messy but at least I don't feel like I'm losing brain cells."
Yeah, totally agree with this. I've used gel strippers indoors a couple times, and even with ventilation, the fumes lingered way longer than I expected. Sanding does make a dusty mess, but at least it's manageable with a good vacuum attachment and some plastic sheeting. Plus, sanding gives you better control over the finish—especially if you're dealing with detailed trim work. Just my two cents...
Good points all around. A couple things I'd add from experience:
- Sanding is definitely safer indoors, but if you're dealing with multiple layers of old paint (especially lead-based), sanding can actually be riskier unless you have proper dust control.
- Chemical strippers are messy and smelly, true, but sometimes they're the only practical way to get into tight corners or intricate details without damaging the wood.
- I've had decent luck using a heat gun followed by light sanding—less dust, fewer fumes, and pretty good results overall.
Just something else to consider...
"I've had decent luck using a heat gun followed by light sanding—less dust, fewer fumes, and pretty good results overall."
Yeah, totally agree with this. Heat guns are underrated in my opinion. I've stripped a ton of old window trim, and honestly, the heat gun method saved me a lot of headache. Less mess than chemical strippers and way less risky than sanding lead paint indoors. Plus, from an energy efficiency standpoint, properly stripped and refinished trim seals better—less drafty windows mean lower heating bills down the line...worth considering!
Heat guns are handy, no doubt, but honestly, they're not always the silver bullet. I've done plenty of old window trims and found that on delicate moldings or intricate details, heat guns can sometimes scorch or warp the wood if you're not super careful. Plus, it can be a slow process—especially if the paint layers are thick or stubborn.
Personally, I've had better luck with a quality chemical stripper designed for indoor use (low-odor, safer formulations). Yeah, it's a bit messier, but if you prep right and have decent ventilation, it's manageable. And it gets into tight corners and detailed carvings a lot better than a heat gun ever could. Sanding afterward is minimal if you scrape effectively.
Also, not sure I'd connect refinishing directly to energy savings. Drafty windows usually come down to glazing, weatherstripping, and insulation around the frame—not really the finish on your trim. Just something to keep in mind...
Interesting points about chemical strippers—I recently tackled some old window trim myself, and I initially thought sanding alone would suffice. Quickly realized that sanding intricate profiles and detailed moldings is tedious and risks losing definition.
"Drafty windows usually come down to glazing, weatherstripping, and insulation around the frame—not really the finish on your trim."
This makes sense, though I wonder if refinishing might indirectly help by revealing hidden gaps or damage during prep work... thoughts?
That's a good point about refinishing potentially revealing hidden issues. When I stripped my old window trim last summer, I found a few spots where the wood had softened due to hidden moisture damage—stuff I wouldn't have caught otherwise. Sanding alone probably wouldn't have exposed those weak areas clearly, so it indirectly helped me address some draftiness too. Still, I'd say refinishing itself doesn't fix drafts, but it definitely can help you spot trouble areas early.
Did you find any unexpected damage or surprises when you started prepping your trim? Curious if others have had similar experiences...
When I tackled my window trim a couple years back, I opted for sanding first, thinking it'd be quicker and less messy. Big mistake. After hours of sanding, I still had stubborn layers of old paint clinging on, and worse yet, I completely missed some hidden rot spots. Ended up stripping it anyway, and sure enough, found moisture damage lurking beneath the paint layers—just like you mentioned. Lesson learned: sanding alone can definitely mask underlying issues.
Funny enough, I also discovered some ancient termite tunnels in one corner—thankfully abandoned, but still gave me a mini heart attack. Refinishing definitely won't solve drafts directly, but it does force you to confront the ugly truth hiding beneath decades of paint. Now I always recommend stripping first, even if it's messier and more time-consuming. Better to know exactly what you're dealing with upfront than to get blindsided halfway through the project...
Yep, stripping first is definitely the way to go. Sanding alone just smooths things over without revealing what's hiding underneath. Plus, chemical stripping makes it easier to spot and patch small cracks or splits before repainting... saves headaches later.
Totally agree with you on the stripping first approach. I learned this the hard way a few years back when I tackled some old window trim in our guest room. Thought sanding alone would do the trick, but after painting, all these little imperfections started popping up—tiny cracks and rough patches I hadn't even noticed before. Ended up having to redo the whole thing, which was a huge pain.
Since then, I've switched to chemical stripping first, and it's been a game changer. It really does reveal all those hidden issues upfront, making it easy to patch and prep properly. Plus, once you've stripped it down, sanding afterward is actually quicker and smoother because you're not fighting through layers of old paint.
Sounds like you're already on the right track—good luck with your project!
"Plus, once you've stripped it down, sanding afterward is actually quicker and smoother because you're not fighting through layers of old paint."
That's a really good point. I've mostly relied on sanding in the past, but now I'm reconsidering. Do you find chemical stripping messy or difficult to manage indoors? I've always hesitated because of the fumes and cleanup involved—especially in smaller rooms with limited ventilation.
Also curious if anyone's tried heat guns for stripping window trim? I borrowed one from a friend once for an old door frame, and it worked surprisingly well...but I haven't tackled window trim with it yet. Wondering if it's worth the effort compared to chemical methods.
Either way, your experience makes me think I should definitely test out stripping first on my next project. Seems like it could save a lot of headaches later on.