If the bathroom needs cleaning...refinish the front steps. That's what I do.

So. We had company coming over and the house was a mess. So ,naturally, I spent the week removing 4000000 years of paint layers off of my front steps. If you are nodding in agreement, then you are my people. Read on.

Painted wood tends to make me feel just a little curious and well, if I'm honest a little sad. These steps were painted several times before we moved in, stretching back in all liklihood to ...I'm gonna say....the Ordovician period.

There was red, there was cream, there was a sort of odd blue, which actually endeared me to that previous owner...(I'm drawn to risk takers).

This job stahtid with a scrapa (pronounce with a long aaa and thick Boston accent) and ended with many sandiz. (sanders)

Full disclosure, there was a moment with a heat gun, which I would just as soon put behind me.

Suffice it to say, it was rough stuff. Couple of things I learned:

1. If you use chemical stripper, maybe don't use a heat gun...not that I tried that.

2. Make lots of money and hire someone....just kidding...sort of.

3. There's just no way around it....it was a lot. BUT many sanders do make light(er) work. Getting in between the railings and under the lip of the risers was not for sissies. I used no less than three different sanders, at least two of which I will link below. (the Porter Cable is available at Lowes, I think.)

   
   
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   
   

   1. My family has finally realized that I prefer tools over jewelry, so these babies are mine and I highly recommend each one.

Any way, here are the stairs before and after. Not too bad. Honestly? I'd do it again. Probably not soon though.