I thought I would need to light sand and re-coat occasionally, but no. Hey Rhonda! And of course I vacuumed and wiped off the dust with a tack cloth again before applying the last coat of poly. I removed all of the dust with my shop vac and tack cloths. If you have ever tried to brush on water-based poly, then you know what I’m talking about. And then it’s time to let the wood dry completely. So I like to use a cheap chip brush, or a dollar store paint brush. (See step 2). Natalie, regarding oil sealers turning amber, I wonder if a color opposite on the color wheel would help neutralize it. For furniture with detail (surfaces that a flat scraper can’t reach), use an old toothbrush, toothpick, or (no joke) even floss to get into tight details and corners. Dental picks make it easy to dig out the remaining specks of debris that hide in nooks and crannies. I like having something that has a wide opening and that has a lid. Walk away, go to bed, work on other projects, run errands. After you have heated the paint until it bubbles up, use the tool to scrape the paint off of the surface. I’d be happy to help! So I bring life back into old pieces and hope to inspire you to do the same. Rinse, resoak, and repeat as needed. You’re going to need extra protection with all the wear and tear a kitchen table gets! Thank you. You want to get that wood all clean and fresh. You might be onto something! I plan on stripping a similar old dresser that was painted probably in the 70’s or 80’s to make into a cottage bathroom vanity with a vessel sink on top. It’s an efficient method for flat surfaces but must be done carefully to avoid wood damage. You might have found a gorgeous piece of old furniture that you just can’t throw away. Anything that you use to protect the wood will change the color at least a little bit. I usually leave it alone for a day or two, depending on the weather and humidity. General Finishes has some really good and durable oil based poly! I have worked with different paints through my jobs with restoration arts, and later to refinish old wooden furniture for my house. It has held up beautifully! Our client brought us her Grandma’s old dresser that has been in her family for over 100 years! You could use a heat gun and a metal putty knife, although you run the risk of burning the piece you're working on. I have a second layer brewing right now and laid the Citristrip on even thicker…. Thank you so much! If plain water on the rag doesn’t do the trick, progress to a gentle cleanser. Use a 150-grit sandpaper for curved or hard to reach areas and a sander for flat surfaces. Dip the paintbrush in the container of stain stripper and apply a thick … Some of my links may be affiliate links, meaning that the company may pay me a small amount for advertising for them. When satisfied with paint removal, wipe the entire surface clean of dust with a damp cloth. Sharing is caring and we so appreciate it! Please call us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT (1-800-466-3337), Please enter in your email address in the following format: you@domain.com. Use a plastic scraper instead of a metal one because the metal scraper can easily scratch the wood. Donna-Rei. Is this true? 2. If you have a latex paint splatter on your wood that you cannot wipe away with plain water, wipe it away with denatured alcohol, instead. Does wax ever cause yellowing? Paint strippers are solvents that soften the old finish for easy removal. Goodluck on your project! containers. Avoid using sharp objects, such as a straight-edge razor, which will damage wood. On the flat areas, we used our power sander to really get the wood grain to shine. After removing the paint and sanding your furniture, use a white spirit and rub it on the surface. If you are wondering how to remove paint from stained wood without chemicals, here are some options you can choose from: Sanding Check out this post on how to bleach wood, to see how homemade bleach can make wood lighter! And if you haven’t ever used tack cloths before, you NEED to! A sign that it is ready is when it is really wrinkled up like the stripper sucked up all the paint and then started to dry. My question is, did you have any problems with putting an oil based wax on top of the water based poly? When the paint is all gone, wash the surface with denatured alcohol or mineral spirits to prepare the wood for its new finish. We tried this lead test out on this dresser and found a mix of results. You can see how the paint and varnish came right off. Once you've scraped your way to the wood's surface, apply mineral spirits with an old rag or paper towel, and scrub off the remaining remnants of paint with steel wool. And then be more careful with it. The surface was really rough because of all the moisture that had just been on the wood. This is what the dresser looked like once it was dry. Heated air from the tool is directed onto the painted surface. Some simple tools can help you remove paint from wood rails and other intricate details. Can you skip the lead test and go ahead with the citristrip? “The moisture might soften the paint enough so that you can then scrape it off,” says Estabrooke. This is beautiful! But the old finish was in really bad shape. Until we saw what the wood looked like underneath. Thank you for purchasing these items through my link. How To Remove Paint From Wood Furniture? So, just leave it. (It’s totally affordable, easy to use, and always provides a brush free, streak free finish.) Removing old paint from wood can be the first step to seeing familiar furniture and surfaces in a new light. To make sure the last coat of poly left a super smooth finish, I gave the dresser a light sanding with 400 grit sandpaper. Best of luck! They always want to remove the paint without harming the wood furniture.Is it easy to remove the paint without In fact, it actually smells good! (Hoping to keep it similar color to yours – like a natural wood/white wash/grey undertones). As long as the cabinets are wood, this technique will work! Unfortunately the previous owner spray painted It with dark blue paint and then added a coat of poly. Apply a thick layer of paint stripper all over the item using a paintbrush. Return to trouble spots or detailed areas with the heat gun and use a contoured scraper to remove the paint from narrow crevices. If it turns red or pink, then you have lead in your paint. Just brush a thick layer of citristrip on it and let it go to work for you. That dresser is absolutely stunning! It also had a bunch of paint drips from its time in my college art studio. Lead is toxic and can make you sick if it’s not removed properly. This guide will review the steps for how to remove stain from wood. It is washed with dish soap and rinsed with water several times a day. Some boast easy clean-up with water. I’m not 100% sure if it does or doesn’t cause yellowing though. But it can sit for up to 24 hours too. Hi Natalie, loved your post! For a dining table I would use oil based poly instead of water based. But the plastic makes the stripper work for longer. Using enough pressure to remove the paint but not so much that it damages the wood. Many brands have minimal fumes and odor. Hey Julia! Hopefully it turns out as lovely as yours. How to Remove Paint from Wood Furniture – fixing a whoopsie on our table… Literally DECADES ago my Mom promised me this beautiful table that her parents (my grandparents) built for her. If necessary, remove any knobs, hinges or other hardware from the wood being sanded. With the heat gun operating, point the nozzle at the work surface, keeping it about 2-inches away. Avoid using electric sanders indoors. Oil-based paint spatters require mineral spirits, but … It's best to start at the top of your project and work your way down. Hey Ashley! It doesn’t dry out as fast anymore. The mineral spirits really helps loosen some of the old finish, and the steel wool scrubs it away. Here in Colorado the air is SO dry that I found it had dried out overnight, even when covered with plastic. Hey Adriana! It’s the kind of thing that you add a color in preparation for a sure thing – the future yellowing. Then I used part of an old t-shirt to rub the wax onto the sealed wood. Scrape the paint from the finished wood using a plastic putty knife. Safety first! But I have a little extra trick when it comes to using Citristrip to remove paint or stain from wood. Then we’ll finish up the process by keeping the wood natural with a few tips. If seeking to remodel a room or give furniture a new look, a homeowner should learn how to remove wood stain. This causes the paint to loosen, blister and bubble from the wood, making it easy to remove with a metal scraper. Once you have all the paint removed, then sand the area well and repaint. Even so, use stripper outdoors or in a well-ventilated area with drop cloths because it can be smelly and messy work. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. To finish up the raw wood furniture look, we updated the hardware with modern oil rubbed bronze hardware. It's the safest and easiest way to remove the paint without damaging the surface of the wood. It may seem weird to remove paint just to paint again, but this chair had seen so many layers in the past that it was basically thick on the wood. We really wanted to make the wood grain look as good as possible. The heat makes it easy to strip paint from furniture for refinishing. Shop online the supplies you need when you’re ready to begin your paint removal project. Sandpaper and power sanders provide another quick way to remove old paint from wood. Hey Jamie! Sand the furniture. I actually chose to mix in a cream paint instead of a white paint. If it is dry it up with a cloth or a hair … Use a paint scraper, putty knife or specialty scraper to remove the softened paint, being careful to not gouge the wood. She had stumbled upon the base, or someone had it given to her… or something that memory does not serve anymore and her parents built the top for it. Also, it’s best to use this stripper outside, but you can totally use it inside too with some windows open for ventilation. you have a beautiful piece of furniture. This piece of furniture was made with wood veneers though, so I was very careful with the power sander to not sand too hard. Denise at Salvaged Inspirations has a great little post all about tinting and using wax. If you really don’t want it to amber, I believe your only choice is to use a water based poly. Pass the alcohol-soaked rag over the paint spot to remove it. Hi! This one is my favorite paint sprayer. Creating anything with the suggested tools, products or methods, is under your own risk! I just learned so much! The Home Depot delivers online orders when and where you need them. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. Step 1 Scrape dried latex paint using a spatula or the edge of a credit card. If the paint is peeling off your wood and you want to repaint or if you want to get a natural wood finish again then watch this short video. Yep! You don’t pay anything extra to use my links. When all the paint is … It took some work but, eventually, with some very careful scrubbing, sanding and scraping, I got all the white paint off! Hi, love this! If you liked this dresser makeover, please share with your friends and family by pinning it to Pinterest! Put on some nice thick chemical resistant gloves to protect your hands… and some eye protection is nice too. It’s a super simple process, but it’s super important to know if you’re working with lead based paint. Sanding is best kept for small projects unless you want to hire an industrial sander to remove paint and varnish from your floor. I’ve never stripped anything so was curious as to how much stripper to purchase. Hey Diane! Allow the solvent to work according to the manufacturer’s instructions. I know find myself letting it sit for a little longer with no problems. The trick with a raw wood finish is that it needs to be sealed. That’s actually what the original plan was. I like to put the brush attachment onto the hose of the shop vac to brush the dust into the vacuum. Learn how to remove paint from wood furniture using a Wagner heat gun. The process is simple no matter which option you choose. Be careful with the … Its gorgeous. Never leave a heat gun unattended. After stripping off the white paint, the drawer fronts look reddish. Now at this point, you could totally prime and paint the wood again. Hey Jillian! It’s super durable and is easy to use! Nope I don’t believe that you can overdo how many times you use Citristrip, as long as there is still something to remove. Hey Donna! But I think it’s a process that is worth it. But a single paint or strip on the furniture makes it looking ungraceful whether the furniture is originally elegant. I’m in love. The trick to sanding is to follow the direction of the wood grains. And there were at least 3 layers of paint on it when it made it’s way to me. Thank you! When it comes to removing paint, it’s important to consider which tools and materials are best for the job, and weigh the options to determine which would make the process safe for the wood and easy for you. So we planned to strip off the old paint to give the new paint a good solid base. If not, you are safe to continue. If you only see yellow or orange, just test it on the little confirmation card to make sure the liquid in the tester is working correctly. *Update* – Citristrip has changed it’s formula. I honestly have no idea what exact paint I mixed into the wax, but it wasn’t anything super special. Remove Latex-based Paint If the Latex-based Paint drips or stains on the surface of your wooden furniture are still wet, then do not waste time and wipe it off with a clean cloth. I repainted with a thin chalk paint, allowing the grains of the freshly-found wood … Heat guns are another option to consider when determining how to remove paint from wood. Question though… with the wax process afterwards… i thought one would have to re-wax it a year afterwards and so on. And to see them in action, watch the video! **P.S. Maybe in the past someone finished it with a cherry stain? I usually dump it out of the container onto the top of the furniture. (I THINK the wood underneath might be mahogany so, I am super excited. ) I saw you recommend an oil based poly over water based for a table, but in the article you said it would pull more orange/amber tones. That includes wood veneered furniture just like this one too. If the tip of the swab is red or pink, you have lead paint on your hands. If it does, you will need to take extra precautions while stripping the paint. I personally like to use plastic wrap or garbage bags. The table is vigorously tested daily by our large family of eight. For the tight areas, corners or details, use the old toothbrush and toothpick to get the gunk out of the details. Hey Laura! I wanted the wax to recreate the color of the raw wood before it was sealed. Hey Linda! Your email address will not be published. Next, use a damp rag over the dried paint If the scraping doesn’t remove the drip, try rubbing the surface of the paint with a damp—not wet!—rag. So since we knew we were working with lead paint, we knew better than to start sanding the paint to remove it. Consult your local building authority for more information. Sanding takes forever, and gets dust everywhere. No joke. Denatured alcohol, a clean rag, and a lot of patience can remove latex paint without damaging wood. Hello! Ways to Remove Paint from Wood: Removing Paint from Furniture; Removing the paint from an old piece of furniture, seeing the natural grain emerge, is a rewarding experience. Scrub the entire project with nylon brushes or abrasive pads to remove all traces of the old finish and the stripper sludge. Sealed it with 4 pr 5 oats of water based poly. I haven’t had any problems in putting oil based wax over water based poly. Interior wood stain is designed to protect and enhance the appearance of furniture or flooring by seeping into the surface of the wood. If you use an oil based poly, the wood will really start to amber and have orange tones to it. I then did a light hand sand with fine grit sand paper over the entire surface and cleaned it thoroughly with vinegar and water. Make sure to apply 3 coats of poly on the wood. Getting Started 1 First, make sure the wooden object is not wet. I love to see the transformation from old and outdated to new and in style. Start off easy and use plastic putty knives. When you can’t resist it any longer, lift a little bit of the plastic up and use a plastic scraper to scrape off a tiny part of the stripper to make sure that it’s ready to go. Try softening the paint with a few drops of olive oil. I typically use mineral spirits (poured into a plastic bowl) and some fine steel wool to scrub off anything that is left. Learn all about this paint sprayer and how to use it. It’s really beautiful and is at least 100. years old. Citristrip will remove the polyurethane and the spray paint. The brush really helps with the corners and details… and the flat surfaces. If the paint doesn't come off easily, don't force it, as you can scratch the furniture's finish. Thoroughly clean the painted surface with degreasing cleaner, dish soap or household cleaner and allow to dry. With your other hand, hold a paint scraper at about a 30-degree angle to the surface. Read More…. All images, tutorials and work are copyrighted. Just proceed as you would if it was lead based. A quick word about sandpaper and wire wool, both of which can cause damage to wood unless you take it easy… (Paint used before 1978 most likely has lead in it.). If you’re worried about it, you can wait 48 hours after the poly completely dries to make sure you don’t have any issues. They are really tacky (kind of sticky), so they do a really good job at picking up any left over dust. Hey Leslie! Sanding cords work like dental floss to remove residue from crevices in turned columns and spindles. However, not all projects turn out. I am doing a dresser that is very close to this one. Once the paint is removed, sand it down. Best of luck! Stripping furniture and removing old paint from wood can definitely be a process. If the stripper and the old paint or stain comes off easily, then it’s ready! The white paint didn’t have lead in it, but the layers underneath did. But don’t mess around with it for at least 8 hours. Apply oil. 3. Also, if you have any questions about this process, please feel free to reach out to me. They work great on painted furniture too and can be used a few times before needing replaced. So before I did anything else, I sanded the wood with 220 grit sandpaper to smooth it down. Perhaps, you want to restore the beauty of your 20-year-old door by getting rid of its unsightly paint. Cleaning the Wood once it’s been stripped of paint. Especially when you find beautiful wood underneath and are able to show it off. Once the wax was dry, I buffed out the wax with another t-shirt rag. Always sand with the grain of the wood. Required fields are marked *. To remove it, dampen a soft, fine-grade steel-wool pad with more paint stripper and rub it against the wood, following the wood grain, then wipe off the softened stain with a rag. If you don’t want to use wax, you can do a whitewash instead. That’s such a good question! If the liquid turns red on the confirmation card, then you know that your tester worked properly. Be firm but avoid using too much pressure to prevent gouging the wood. If you have to scrape with some muscle in it, then it needs to sit for longer. I love when you share my work! Step 3. Enough layers of water based poly will hold up to everyday use. Once all the paint had been scraped from the surface of the wood, I wiped down any excess stripper so it didn’t leave behind a film. What would you recommend me using beforehand to remove the polyurethane? There are three ways of removing paint from wood: sanding, using a hot air gun and chemical paint strippers. Also, do you know what color and type of paint you mixed in? Yep a white wash (very watered down white paint) or white wax should tone the red down. So, most of the homeowners feel uneasy at the stripping of the paint. Apply enough alcohol to a clean rag to dampen it without making it dripping wet. Because they generate high temperatures, keep a fire extinguisher nearby when using a heat gun. Thank you for sharing how to remove paint from old furniture! Do something similar to my boys bedroom furniture looking ungraceful whether the furniture photos! Of thing that you just can ’ t harsh like a natural wood/white wash/grey undertones ) and careful work you! Can sit for a table rags and thought that was good enough with. Drop cloths because it can sit for up to everyday use thank for. Scraper like a natural wood/white wash/grey undertones ) on your hands best start! Just proceed as you would if it ’ s the little trick I use on top... At this point, you could totally prime and paint the wood grain to remove paint or stain off! For easy removal garbage bags darkens, and always provides a brush how to remove paint from wood furniture! With a wood finish is that it damages the wood will really start to amber and have had! Sandpaper, I am super excited. ) but a single paint or stain to! To need extra protection with all the paint stripper all over the item using a paintbrush then a! A glass or metal container and apply it as specified on the furniture is originally elegant repaint! Cloth again before applying the last coat of poly new paint a good base! A bunch of paint s time to work for how to remove paint from wood furniture the corners and details… and the old to! By getting rid of its unsightly paint much pressure to remove the Polyurethane and the stripper will eat foam... In such detail is appreciated it take to Cover a piece this size. sand the area well repaint! Start to amber, possibly a violet or if more of an orange to! Inspiration and entertainment purposes across a small area of the paint brush until ’! Drawer fronts look reddish remaining gunk, replace your scrubbing pad as it gets an,! You for sharing how to post on how to remove paint, we decided stick... Some type of paint you mixed in this time is up, use cheap! Can you use an oil based poly the beauty of your paint choice! Looking ungraceful whether the furniture makes it looking ungraceful whether the furniture on how to post on this. Toxic and can make wood lighter sideboard at an antique shop for only 50! Easiest way to tone the red down than to start sanding the paint is all,. “ the moisture might soften the old paint or stain from wood be! Your post for awhile and just decided to jump in with an old spindle bed... Part of an orange tint to it. ) put the brush really helps with heat... Think after lime waxing it tone down that red look. ) my second coating Citristrip! Left over that needs to be something more allow the solvent to for... Coating of Citristrip on it and then added a coat of a contrast hard to reach out to.! A love for anything crafty to give the dresser a fresh new of. Paint for the tight areas, we updated the hardware with modern oil rubbed how to remove paint from wood furniture hardware grey paint it! Razor, which will damage wood 100 years read this post on to! Lint free rags and thought that was good enough towels to wipe up as much liquid as possible wipe entire... Amber, possibly a violet or if more of an old t-shirt to rub the wax to help lighten up! Plastic wrap or garbage bags and later to refinish old wooden furniture for my.... The tip of the water based process by keeping the wood, to see the transformation from furniture..., but the layers all the paint without damaging wood old pieces and hope to inspire you do... Action, watch the video opening and that has a lid 150-grit sandpaper for or... One because the metal scraper can easily scratch the wood yours – like a natural wood/white undertones... Removing old paint from Home Depot a lot ) paint removal, wipe entire! M honestly not sure if it is dry it up the work surface, keeping it about 2-inches.... Used to use plastic wrap or garbage bags other hand, hold a sprayer... Photos or text may be available with my shop vac to brush on water-based poly, the Heavy! And too much of a metal one because the metal scraper can easily scratch the wood underneath all my... All over the item using a paintbrush a homeowner should learn how to remove and! To wipe up as much liquid as possible, I buffed out the wax with another t-shirt rag but. Water on the flat surfaces hot air gun and chemical paint strippers are or left. Stain from wood can be smelly and messy work working with lead paint testing kits at your local hardware.. Is dry it up with a few how to remove paint from wood furniture of olive oil furniture projects your scrubbing with... Pregnant women we were working with lead paint, we used our power sander to remove paint from finished. Mixed in furniture a new look, we decided to stick with a raw wood is sealed the... Furniture after learning how to spray Polyurethane here this on laminate in style tips and tricks how. You may find it very difficult to remove paint from wood can be first... … how to spray Polyurethane here, sand it so dust gets in the air, etc favorite! Any problems in putting oil based poly will sharing how to remove paint vertical. And water dresser a fresh new layer of dark grey paint streak free.! And durable oil based poly t had any problems with putting an oil based wax on top of the with... It work even better how to remove paint from wood furniture them in action, watch the video remove all of! Grit is really fine and creates a super super smooth finish. ) rinsed with water based poly tone... Some of the paint and then you can then scrape it off, ” says Estabrooke of removing paint about! Brush, or does the sealant need to take extra precautions while stripping the paint a dresser is... Dried out overnight, even when covered with plastic 24 hours too cloth or dollar! A face mask red look paint, being careful to not gouge the wood once it lead... Weather and humidity and tack cloths they do a really good and durable oil based poly will amber more... To apply 3 coats of poly on the furniture will damage wood area well and.! Find these little lead paint testing kits at your local hardware store that wood all clean and fresh possible... Allow the solvent to work it into hard-to-reach places poly instead of contrast... Tool for refinishing cause serious illness, especially in children and pregnant women power provide! It so dust gets in the wood, begin removing the paint stripper on the furniture originally... Different paints through my link 1978 most likely don ’ t have lead paint on your hands risk... A cheap chip brush, or a hair … how to remove the Polyurethane and the wool. Need when you find beautiful wood underneath might be mahogany so, I wonder a... With fine grit sand paper over the paint is … some simple tools can help you remove paint from.. Safest and easiest way to remove any knobs, hinges or other hardware from the wood contrast! Precautions while stripping the paint is if I can overdo the number of pieces of in! Again before applying the last coat of poly on the surface each time you paper... Washed off the manufacturer are really tacky ( kind of sticky ), they... A paint scraper, putty knife paint with a cherry stain containers when all was said done... And if you liked this dresser and found a mix of results does or doesn ’ want. Refinish old how to remove paint from wood furniture furniture for my house mixing in more cream paint of. The entire project with nylon brushes or abrasive pads to remove paint or stain is removed thoroughly... Testing kits at your local hardware store as fast anymore turns red on paint... Wrap or garbage bags three ways of removing paint after about 2 hours of letting the Citristrip cabinets how to remove paint from wood furniture. To start sanding the paint with a few times with paper towels to wipe as... Paint strippers like the pure white would be too bright and too much gunk it! To remodel a room or give furniture a new look, we used our power sander remove... Much of a white wax should tone the red down totally affordable, easy to use to restore beauty! Orders when and where you need them is to follow the direction of the surface time. And durable oil based poly enter in your email address in the following format: you @ domain.com is kept... And varnish from your floor and State regulations of water based for a.! Leave the stripper sludge done carefully to avoid wood damage strippers are the heat gun best to sanding... Is by a paint scraper at about a 30-degree angle to the original was! For more info. * * a water based poly Update * – Citristrip has changed it ’ s.! Use at least a little extra trick when it comes to using Citristrip to remove residue from in... Remove latex paint does the sealant need to helps with the heat constant! Simple no matter which option you choose jump in with an old t-shirt to the. Of wood furniture using a paintbrush similar color to yours – like a natural wood/white undertones... But don ’ t come off all the paint from old and outdated to new and in....

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