Removing gap filler from between walls and stair stringers

[JD]

We're busy sanding back the paint on our Rimu stair stringers (I think that's what they are called - the bit that goes up on either side of the stairs and holds the actual steps)  so that we can varnish them to make a feature of them but we have some areas where the previous owner has put white gap filler in to spaces between the stringer and the wall and we're have a hard time getting this out to replace with wood putty. Does anyone have any advice/recommendations on a good way to remove the gap filler?

[Jason]

Hi @JD,

Welcome to Workshop. We're really happy you could join us and look forward to reading more about your projects and plans. Please post whenever you need a hand - we have plenty of very helpful members who share their experience and knowledge.

This sounds like a tricky job. Can I ask what you have used so far to try to remove the gap filler? And could you perhaps reply with a photo of what you are dealing with? It might help our members get a better idea of the problem and how to address it.

Many thanks,

Jason

[Kermit]

@JD

Do you have a multi-tool? Can be very handy for jobs like this and get into little nooks and crannies.

[JD]

Thanks for the input, I managed to get it out by using a really sharp Stanley knife and cutting it on a diagonal and then lifting most of it out. Hopefully I now have enough out that I can put wood filler in there to match the Rimu prior to varnishing it.

[Jason]

Great, thanks for the update @JD. Glad to hear that you have made progress. 

Give us a shout if you need further assistance with anything.

Jason