How to Get Varnish Off Kitchen Handles

Remove varnish easily from kitchen cabinet handles.

Repainting cabinets is an effective way to revamp a kitchen, but sometimes unavoidable varnish and paint splatters can spoil the cupboard handles. With a little know-how and some elbow grease, your handles will be clean, shiny and ready to refinish in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Newspaper
• Dust mask
• Protective gloves
• Medium-grade wire wool
• Medium- and fine-grade sandpaper
• Clean rags
• Mineral spirits
• Warm soapy water
• Paint stripper
• Old ceramic or glass container
• Old paintbrush
• Paper towels
• Paint scraper

Instructions

Wood Handles

1. Determine what type and size screwdriver you need to remove handles from cabinet. Unscrew holding screws and place handles on newspaper.

2. Don dust mask and gloves. Take a small piece of wire wool and gently rub the varnish stain. If the varnish begins to come off, continue with wire wool until all has been removed. If wire wool is ineffective, use medium-grade sandpaper.

3. Sand all handles back to their original wood with fine-grade sandpaper. Wipe with mineral spirits, wash in warm, soapy water, and allow to dry. Refinish handles as appropriate. Replace on cabinets.

Metal Handles

1. Remove handles from cabinets using the appropriate screwdriver; place handles on newspaper. Determine what kind of varnish is on the handles. If water-based, proceed as for wood handles. If polyurethane, continue.

2. Wear mask and gloves. Tip paint stripper into the container. Paint the paint stripper onto a handle and set aside. Move on to the next handle. By the time you have painted all handles, the unwanted varnish should be lifting off the first. Wipe with rags or paper towels. Use a paint scraper for difficult-to-reach areas.

3. Wipe handles with mineral spirits and wash in warm soapy water. When dry, replace on cabinets or refinish as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Always follow manufacturer's instructions when using paint stripper.

• Be aware that paint stripper will remove all the original finish from handles.

• Dispose of old varnish as advised by local waste management.

References

• Guinness Partnership: How to Use Varnishes, Woodstains and Dyes

Resources

• Polyurethane Varnish: Choosing the Best Clear Protective Finish
• Tipking: Cleaning