I'm currently working on stripping paint from my banister, focusing on small patches at a time. I've had great success with Citristrip, but I've noticed that there's still some residue left in the grooves. I've seen mixed opinions online about how to clean this up. Some suggest using mineral spirits, while others mention soap and water, plain water, acetone, or rubbing alcohol. The Citristrip label recommends mineral spirits, but I'm really hesitant due to the strong smell and my concerns about safety during cleanup. I can't take the banister apart, so I've been extra cautious, using a mask, gloves, and keeping the windows open with a fan for ventilation. My question is, do I really need to use mineral spirits to get rid of the Citristrip residue?
1 Answer
You can definitely use mineral spirits, but just do it sparingly and tackle it in sections. As long as the residue is on the banister and not dripping down, it should be okay. Remember that while mineral spirits are flammable, they also evaporate pretty fast, so that might make cleanup a bit easier for you.
What about the brushes and rags I used? I tossed a few initially, but that could get costly. Can I just wash them out with soap and water?