Please help...

I am embarassed to even post these pictures of my steps, but I am at a loss for what to do with them. My house is over 100 years old and you sure can tell by looking at these. I have tries putting stipper on them, but the brown matting stuff will not budge. I want to paint them, but I need a way to get all the brown stuff up. Any ideas?

Maybe some sandpaper or or a sander to sand it down flat may be easier than trying 2 scrub it off.

Have you tried Goo-gone? Hubby had industrial glue on his shirt and let me tell you that stuff is worse than super glue once it gets on things I put some Goo-gone on it let it sit and it peeled right off.. also get your self a small flat scrapper that you find at hardware or paint stores and try with the goo-gone and then scrap it off.. I will do some more looking into this and get back to you.. And sweetie we are all understanding friends here so don't be embarrassed Love and Hugs

Also I know this may smell a bit but try Ammonia and a razor scraper ..

I have tried sanding and that would take me forever and a day. And I'm not a very patient person when I start something I expect it to be done now! lol

Lauri, I do have some Goo-gone, I'm going to go try it on a spot now. I think I have a flat scraper somewhere in this house!!

And Thanks Lauri, I know you are all great friends and I love ya!

I was wrong, I don't have Goo-gone, but I did have Oops. So I put that on a spot on the step and when I scraped it, it came off

Donna had mentioned acetone, so since that would be cheaper ( I am going to need alot of it) I will try that too.

Thanks guys, I might just get these steps painted after all!!

Please share the "after" pictures I would like to see them thanks

Perhaps post this same question and pic on Craigslist and advertise for someone who can do it for a good price? At least it's free to post and you won't be losing out on anything.

You might try Zip-Strip, which is available usually at any hardware store or Home Depot ... you have to put it on with a brush and let it sit about an hour, then anything on the step will slide right off with a scarper. If you plan on using it, keep in mind it'll take up the existing varnish, the paint off the backboard, and basically will render the wood back to completely unfinished.

http://www.starbronze.com/720.html

Lillen wrote:

You might try Zip-Strip, which is available usually at any hardware store or Home Depot ... you have to put it on with a brush and let it sit about an hour, then anything on the step will slide right off with a scarper. If you plan on using it, keep in mind it'll take up the existing varnish, the paint off the backboard, and basically will render the wood back to completely unfinished.

http://www.starbronze.com/720.html

I would love to take it down to the bare wood! I will look for this next time I go into town. Thank you!!

I have gotten the brown stuff off of the 3 bottom steps, but man do my arms hurt!

I will post after pictures, I can't leave this ugly image in your heads!!

kriss did you get them all done? What did you end up using?