whisky-dave wrote:
I've taken most of the varnish off of some stair banisters and two
hand rails that had a dark varnish on them, most of the remaining wood
still isn't as light in colour as I'd like it. I was hoping to find
something in a
high street B&Q or somewhere. I've found a few suppliers of chemicals
like oxalic acid and hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide, but I'd
like something a bit easier and perhaps safer, some can of something
that says "I lighten and bleach wood" on it.
I'm not sure what wood it is, but assuming it;'s not expensive wood.
Any suggestions......


None of the aboce are especially dangerous

Oxalic acid=Rhubarb (leaves?)
Hydrogen peroxide= hair bleach
Sodium hydroxide..well that is a tad excessive: it's caustic soda but
isn't a huge issue though it will belach (and rot) fabrics.

I think you left one out - sodium hypchorite IIRC is standard houshold
bleach.

However, really all this farting about with cheap wood seems pointless.

Paint them or get hardwood ones made or something. Life's too short.