Recoating Stained varnish trim advice

Hi guys.
I'm new here and have read through some of the very useful information that is stored in these forums.

Previously my homes have always had painted skirting boards and door frames and I have always just sanded for a key, re primed and repainted with a paint gloss. My new home has stained varnished wooden skirting and door frames. I like the look of these and wish to keep them as they are in reasonable condition. However the previous occupants have not done anything in the way of preparation when they have redecorated the walls and ceilings and there are various old paint splatters on the varnished wood. I like the colour of the stain and would really like to just re varnish them with a clear varnish having removed the paint splatters.

Can anyone recommend the best course of action in order to do this, or is it really a major sand back to bare wood/ strip back to bare wood/ replace the wood and restain/revarnish type of job?

Any advice gladly received!

thanks
Nick

Hi Nick
If the splatters have been done after the varnish was applied you should be able to remove them off the varnish. Thats if there is a good coating of varnish over the timber.

Probably the splatters are water based ( if its the wall paint thats on the varnish) so it won't stick real well. Try to remove them by carefully scraping with a sharp blade keeping to the paint and trying not to remove too much varnish. It may mostly just chip off. If most of it does, a light sand should leave the varnish paint free.

If you lay into it just with sand paper you risk rubbing through the varnish next to the splatter as you try to rub of the paint which will probably be thicker than the varnish.

A lot of maybe's however, the varnish may be really thin and you may end up with areas that are bald.

If you manage to remove the splatter just give the varnish a light sand and go over it with some more. If the colour is not affected your new coat should give you a new look and the timber will be protected for lots more years.

Durwood
thanks for your prompt advice. I will let you know how I get on.
thanks
Nick