The painting covers up an unfinished product, adds luster, and conforms it to a designated space.
You’re supposed to remove old paint before you begin with a new coat, but most people don’t do that.
Instead, they just add another layer on top. The old color shines through a bit, so they put a second coat on—now you have a problem.
You need to remove all that paint and sand down the wood before you can put more paint on.
Let’s explore a few ways to do that, and expunge some faulty information out there surrounding how to remove paint from wood.
Contents
Items and Materials Required to Remove Paint From Wood
Doing this task without the proper tools is going to be quick hellish indeed.
You either have a big surface to cover or the intricate curves of a piece of furniture, and a lot of detailing is going to have to be done. This is what you need to start removing paint.
Electric Sander
You’ll be using this towards the end. It’s going to help and remove those stubborn dots and blotches of paint that just didn’t come off with normal methods.
It’s also good for leaving a clean, smooth surface behind to begin painting the next day or applying a finish depending on what your project is.
Make sure your electric sander has plenty of spare sandpaper, and a cord that’s long enough to reach everywhere it needs to.
Glue Scraper/Paint Scraper
When you’re working around window sills and hard-to-reach areas, a paint scraper can help you get those corners and truly remove all the paint you’re faced with.
It’s also good for those stubborn patches of wall that have four or five layers of paint on it.
If you’re using these in tandem with a sander, just be careful that you don’t pull away too much of the wood.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is like magic in a bottle for paint removal. You can apply it to just about any type of paint, and it’s going to break up the polymer binding of it.
Rubbing alcohol usually needs to be mixed with something to give it full strength, such as lemon juice.
White Distilled Vinegar
It’s the most environmentally-friendly way to dissolve paints and polymers.
One simple search will let you know that it can rip away the paint on a car, and even destroy the rubber.
Vinegar can also reveal damages and imperfections in a wall, so you know what you have to patch up and sand before you begin painting.
It’s also perfect at killing bacteria, so you know you’ll be applying paint to a clean surface (once it dries).
Respirator Mask
A simple dust mask won’t do; there’s no telling what type of paint is in those layers underneath that wooden wall, so get an actual respirator mask before beginning.
If you’re removing wood from furniture and turning to chemical peelers, this is even more of a requirement.
Step-by-Step Process for Removing Paint From Wood
Latex Paint
Latex paint will be the easiest to remove since it mostly binds to itself.
Latex is a polymer compound that sticks together more than it bonds to other things unless thorough primer was applied beforehand. This is the easiest paint type to remove.
- Use your paint scraper to start gently scraping the surface of latex paint. It’s going to come off in blotches, and you will run into some stubborn spots. In thin crevices, don’t use a razor to remove the paint, since it could damage the wood. Instead, use a toothpick or something that’s softer to remove the bits of paint.
- Create a mixture of one part lemon juice, three parts white distilled vinegar. Blend it up very well, since the acids will have a rough time mixing at first. Once it’s whipped together, it’s time to paint it onto spots where the latex paint seems stubborn, or wouldn’t come off with the paint scraper. You need to saturate these stubborn points and let it sit for about three to four minutes. After that, gently glide the scraper along with the paint, and it should roll off with no problem.
- Use a dry cotton cloth and remove all remaining mixture and liquid from the wall. This will also help remove some remaining debris before you begin sanding.
- It’s time to whip out the electric sander. You don’t need to go heavy, but you should gently graze over all areas where the paint was. This will help to remove stuck-up wood fibers that were aroused during the paint removal.
- Repeat step three until everything is clean and dry. This will leave a smooth, applicable surface for the next paint job or finish.
Oil-Based Paint
Get ready for the big leagues. Oil-based paint is a right pain to strip off of wood (without damaging it), so buckle up for the ride.
This quick guide may need to be repeated once over to get the job done right.
- Test the wood. Use your scraper and maybe a sheet of manual sandpaper to see just how stuck-on this oil-based paint is. If a primer wasn’t used or if only one coat was used at the time of painting, then you’ll see additional resistance.
- Mix together some Dawn dishwashing detergent with water, and get a cotton cloth that you don’t mind ruining (because it’s going to be garbage when you’re done). Dawn is meant to break down grease and oil, and that’s exactly what it will do here.
- Soak the cloth entirely, and start rubbing it on every area that has oil-based paint. Once the first wipe-through has been done, go over it again with a little more aggression. The dawn doesn’t need a whole lot of time to start breaking down the oil. Continue until paint removal slows dramatically.
- And the paint removal will slow down. Eventually, you’ll see areas where there are persistent patches of oil-based paint. It’s impossible to have a perfect coat of paint, even if it looks that way on the surface. Imperfections in the wood will hold onto the paint. At this point, whip out the electric sander and gently go over any problem areas.
- Repeat steps three and four more times to make sure it’s properly finished.
Enamel Paint
Enamel paint is similar to oil-based paint, but it can be a little more stubborn depending on how much was applied.
The hardest part is getting through the “shell” of enamel on top, but once you do, you’re golden.
- Find a paint stripper that works for you, and use it. Chemical strippers work well, but there are non-toxic and biodegradable versions made out of soy that do the trick as well.
- Apply a generous amount of paint stripper to the surface. It may take some time for it to sink in and begin working, but it will quickly break down the enamel once that initial penetration has happened.
- Use fine-grit sandpaper (200+) to gently remove any residue from the enamel paint. Don’t go crazy here; just gently use circular motions to be absolutely certain no paint is left. It will make your next paint job or sealant harder to bond if there’s paint left over.
Related Questions
Is It Hard to Remove Paint From Wood?
It is not a hard process; anyone can do it. It is time-consuming depending on what paint type you’re removing, and the surface area that you need to clear.
Even without previous experience, anyone can safely and effectively remove paint from wood.
Can You Remove Paint From Furniture Without Damaging the Finish?
No. If you use chemical strippers and sanders to remove paint, it will remove the finish. However, you can simply reapply a new layer of finish.
This will make the object in question look brand new, and preserve it better since it’s a fresh layer of sealant.
Can Baking Soda Remove Paint?
Mixing it in with white distilled vinegar is an effective method, however, it’s not required to fully remove paint.
Baking soda is sort of an extra ingredient that isn’t often required. You should only bother with it if your initial attempts with different methods did not work as planned.
Do Chemical Strippers Damage Wood?
They will not damage the wood. You’ll see chemical solvents and strippers used for projects on antiques and other delicate items because it won’t absorb into or ruin any exposed wood fibers.
It’s usually the most common way to remove paint from wood, though other options are available.
You’re Ready to Repaint and Repurpose
Whether it’s furniture or wooden siding on your home, you’re now going to be ready to repaint over the newly sanded surface, or at the very least repurpose old wood for a new project.
Consider it free recycled lumber for your next woodworking task. Removing paint is no easy task, but the aesthetic appeal (and newfound seal on the wood) is infinitely worth it.
