Need to remove waterbased egg-shell paint from wood trim that has dried?
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I will make an assumption that the wood trim you have is stained and finished with varnish/polyurethane. If it is painted trim, just sand smooth and paint over. I don't know if it is splattered paint from rolling the walls or the the "coloring outside the lines" variety, but, the best solution would be to get some denatured alcohol and steel wool. The alcohol will soften the paint but more importantly, help break the bond of the paint to the finished wood. This would allow you to remove the paint without having to refinish the woodwork. A heat gun, as suggested before, would work but be careful as they are extremely hot and could damage the finish, the wall and could be a fire hazard. Xylene is overkill and evaporates too quickly and the smell..Goof Off/Opps! and the likes are a mix of alcohol/xylene/naptha/tolulene but could dull the wood finish having a stronger solvent cocktail, but is good to have around as it will help with other problems containing petroleum distillates such as crayons, lipstick, tar etc. Good Luck.
A heat gun will soften it so you can scrape it off.
Before painting it again, you'll want to make sure it's clean (wash with detergent, rinse well, and let it dry thoroughly). Then use a good primer that will bond to the wood and give you a surface to which the paint will adhere well.
I know people who insist on oil-based primers, but I've had good luck with water-based primers.
Try rubbing mineral oil into it. That usually softens most paints. If it doesn't, then get a product from your hardware or DIY store that's called "Krud Kutter". It's good enough to take dried latex off concrete floors without damaging anything around it.
Xylene, it will take it off quickly.
Hot water and a green scotchbrite scrub pad. (Please wear gloves)
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