Don’t pay for an expensive professional if you don’t know how to remove paint from wood. Many homeowners don’t want to try because they don’t realize how simple it can be. Removing paint from wood yourself will save you money, and give you a sense of accomplishment when finished. Now let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know when removing paint from wood.
There are many reasons to want to remove paint from wood. It can be that you want to change the color of your kitchen table. Or perhaps you don’t like the color of trim on your house. Whatever the reason may be, there are several things to pay attention to when it’s time to remove paint from wood.
DISCLAIMER: It is very important that if you are unsure if the paint has led in it to get it checked. This article does not cover that topic. This article will show you How to Identify Lead Paint.
Paint Removing Techniques
There are several ways to remove paint from wood. There are some things you want to think about before deciding on what method you will use. The reason for this is there are pros and cons for any of them.
Best Wire Brush For Removing Paint From Wood
Wire brushes can be a great tool to use for this job. They help pull the paint out of intricate designed wood pieces like moulding or table legs.
A good Wire Brush Set will let you pick which size and density is right for your job.
When you choose the wire brush you don’t want to get one with stiff bristles. These are more likely to scratch the wood.
A nylon bristle brush is a good balance of stiff and softness. If this option is too soft you may want to switch to a finer level of wire brush.
Start with the softest level you can and work your way up. Be gentle on the material and take your time.
How To Remove Paint From Wood Without Chemicals
The most common way to remove paint from wood without chemicals is to use a heat gun. To do this you will first need a few things.
You want to use a heat gun that has some important features on it. Next you want a paint scraper to help remove the paint. If the piece has contours and designs you may need other tools like a screwdriver to get into them.
Best Heat Gun To Remove Paint
My top pick for a corded option is the Wagner Spraytech HT1000 Heat Gun.
Features:
- Lightweight
- Dual temperatures
- Hanging hook
- Built in stand
- Low noise design
My top pick for a cordless option is the DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Heat Gun.
Features:
- Locking option for automatic use
- Battery powered allows versatility
- Built in LED light
- Dual temperatures
- Two nozzle attachments included
The personal safety equipment for this job are protective gloves and a face mask. Protective eyewear is optional.
CAUTION: Be careful to not touch the hot tip of the heat gun when in use. It can stay hot for some time after it is done being used.
The heat gun is a great method because it doesn’t expose you to harmful chemicals like paint strippers. The cleanup is easier than other methods, with simply sweeping the floor when finished.
The downsides are it may be more labor intensive, especially with intricate pieces. If your heat gun has a cord you are limited to working within range of an outlet.
How To Use A Heat Gun To Remove Paint From Wood
Required Materials:
Required Time:
- Several hours depending on size of job
Step 1:
Get material you are working on in a comfortable position to work in. This could be putting it on saw horses, or on a workbench.
Step 2:
With the heat gun turned on, hold it approximately two inches from the surface you are working on. While moving it in a slow, circular motion, watch for bubbles to form. Be sure to not hold the heat in one place for too long. This can cause the wood to burn and become discolored.
Step 3:
When you have heated a large enough area use the scraper to lift the paint from the wood. This works best if you are working on a flat piece of material.
Step 4:
Move the heat gun to another area that hasn’t been scraped yet and repeat the process. Heat the paint, and remove it by scraping until the entire piece is bare wood.
Step 5:
Scrape any remaining spots of paint with sandpaper. Start with coarse grit like 80 and work your way to a fine grit like 120.
How To Strip Paint From Wood With Citristrip
Citristrip is a paint removing chemical that when applied will strip paint without damaging the wood. Lets take a look at the method for stripping paint using Citristrip.
Required Materials:
- Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel
- Metal Bucket or other container
- Paint Brush
- Putty Knife
- Plastic Drop Cloth
- Masking Tape if needed
- Mineral spirits
- Shop towels
- Chemical Resistant Gloves
- Protective Eyewear
Required Time:
- 1-2 hours depending on size of job
Step 1:
Prepare the location by laying a plastic drop cloth below your work area. Use a surface you don’t mind getting messy like sawhorses, or a workbench.
Step 2:
Pour the gel into a metal container like a small bucket. This makes it easier work with. It also lets you keep the excess gel in it’s container and free from being contaminated.
Step 3:
Use a paint brush to apply the gel liberally over the area being worked on. Allow this to sit for 30 minutes. This gives the gel time to activate and loosen up the paint.
Step 4:
Once the paint has removed from the wood you can use a scraper to remove it. Wipe the scraper clean with a shop cloth as needed.
Step 5:
Clean off any sticky residue that remains. This can be done with warm water and a clean shop towel.
Step 6:
Use sandpaper to remove any excess paint left behind. (See using sandpaper to remove paint from wood below)
This method is quicker than using a heat gun. There is less amount of work done on your part, because the Citristrip does most of the work for you. This method is also more messy than the heat gun method.
How To Remove Paint From Wood With Vinegar
One method that may be overlooked is to remove paint from wood with vinegar. This method is done similarly to the Citristrip technique.
Required Materials:
- Vinegar
- Saucepan
- Paint Brush
- Paint Brush
- Plastic Drop Cloth
- Masking Tape if needed
- Shop towels
- Chemical Resistant Gloves
- Protective Eyewear
Required Time:
- 1-2 hours depending on size of job
Step 1:
Prepare the location by laying a plastic drop cloth below your work area. Use a surface you don’t mind getting messy like sawhorses, or a workbench.
Step 2:
Heat some vinegar on the stove in a saucepan.
Step 3:
Use a paintbrush to apply the vinegar to the area being worked on.
Step 4:
Give it at least 15 minutes for vinegar to react to the paint. You may need to apply more heated vinegar to the area periodically if needed.
Step 5:
Use a scraper to remove the paint once it lifts off the wood. Wipe the paint onto the shop towel as you work.
Step 6:
Use sandpaper to remove any excess paint left behind. (See using sandpaper to remove paint from wood below)
One major downside to this method is you may not have access to a stove nearby. A possible solution to this is to use a camping stove outside, or a hotplate if you are inside.
Cleaning Sticky Residue After Paint Stripping
The best way to clean residue is with mineral spirits or a paint stripping cleaning solution. If you don’t have these on hand you can try a warm wet rag.
Cleaning the sticky residue after using a paint stripper can be the most time consuming and laborious part of the job. This is tedious and requires a critical eye.
Using Sandpaper to Remove Paint From Wood
This process can be done initially, or after you are finished with one of the above methods. If you choose to start with this method, realize you will be using more sandpaper. This is because paint will get caught in the sandpaper.
It’s possible to use a handheld sander like a random orbital sander, or to use a sanding block. The electric sander will make it a quicker job. But doing the sanding by hand will let you be more careful not to damage the wood. This can be better if there are more intricate designs in the material.
Use a lower grit to start. This can be a 60 or 80 grit sandpaper. Focus on the larger, more prominent spots of paint. Anything that is a denser amount of paint should be targeted first.
Work your way up to a finer grit sandpaper. Using a 100 or 120 grit level will give you a smoother surface. Once you get all the paint and any disfiguring off you are complete.
Sandpaper is the final step to remove paint from wood. Once you have sanded all the excess paint from your piece you are done. Congratulations on removing paint. This was a tedious process that took time and a lot of energy.
I hope this article was informative and helped you learn how to remove paint from wood. If you have any questions or comments please leave them in the comment section below. I look forward to hearing from you!
Happy Woodworking,
Kevin