Many doors, furniture pieces, radiators and architectural items arrive at our workshop coated in thick layers of old paint. Some are beautifully made period pieces hiding under decades of colour; others are modern items with problem coatings. But one thing is always true:

💡 You never truly know what condition the timber or metal is in until the paint comes off.

At strippaint.co.uk, we’ve stripped thousands of doors and items, and we see the same hidden issues again and again. Removing the coatings is more than just cosmetic — it exposes what needs repairing, restoring or preserving.

Here’s what paint stripping can reveal, why it matters, and how we put it right.

1. Hidden Cracks, Splits and Movement in Timber

Layers of paint can mask:

Stripping exposes these issues so they can be repaired properly. Most of the time, these problems are genuine signs of age — and can be corrected easily once visible.

2. Woodworm Activity (Old or Recent)

Paint can hide tiny exit holes or surface dust. Once stripped, we can identify:

Often, customers assume woodworm means a door is ruined — but 90% of the time, it can be saved.

3. Bad Previous Repairs

We frequently uncover:

Paint hides workmanship — stripping reveals it. When needed, we re-do repairs properly with matching timber.

4. Fire Damage, Smoke Staining or Water Damage

Smoke and water marks may be invisible under thick paint, but become obvious when stripped.

Signs include:

Stripping allows us to assess what can be salvaged and what needs replacing.

5. Rust and Corrosion on Metal Items

For metal railings, gates and architectural pieces, paint often hides:

Once the metal is bare, we can carry out fabrication repairs, strengthen weakened sections, and prepare the surface properly for repainting or refinishing.

6. Lead-Based Paint Layers

Many period doors and radiators have layers of old lead-based paint beneath newer coatings.

Stripping reveals:

We handle these materials properly in line with UK regulations, something that DIY methods simply cannot guarantee.

7. The True Timber Species Beneath the Paint

Customers are often shocked when a dull painted door turns out to be:

Stripping reveals the natural grain, colour, and beauty — often leading customers to choose waxed or natural finishes they never knew were possible.

8. The Reason Paint Was Applied in the First Place

People paint over things to hide them.

Stripping may show:

Not always bad — but important for planning final restoration.

We can correct many of these issues, including:

Why Professional Stripping Is Worth It

DIY sanding, heat guns or consumer paint strippers simply cannot reveal these underlying issues safely or thoroughly. Professional stripping:

✔ Removes all layers evenly
✔ Exposes true condition
✔ Allows proper repair before refinishing
✔ Avoids heat damage and wood scorching
✔ Prevents chemical residue left in the grain
✔ Gives a clean, blank slate for restoration

For furniture, doors and architectural pieces, stripping is the first essential step in giving something a new life.

Ready to Reveal What’s Under the Paint?

Whether it’s one item or a whole house of doors, we can remove the coatings safely and professionally — and help you restore your items to their original beauty.

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