How to Remove Paint From Wood: 3 Ways to Strip Old Paint

Chemical paint strippers are solvents that soften an old finish so you can easily scrape it away. A chemical stripper is a great choice when you need to remove paint from areas with fine details, such as moldings. Removing paint using a chemical stripper is messy work, so always wear protective gloves, long sleeves and pants, safety glasses, and a respirator mask. It's also important to work either outdoors or in a well-ventilated location, as most stronger chemical strippers contain methylene chloride which emits toxic fumes.

1. 1. Choose a liquid, gel, or paste stripper. Your local hardware store should carry all three types of paint removers. A paste or gel stripper can cling to the wall and is the ideal choice when you’re working with a vertical surface. For horizontal surfaces with detailed carvings or decorations, a liquid stripper is your best bet.
2. 2. Pour the paint stripper into a shallow container. Use a metal or glass container and start with a small amount. You can always pour in more if necessary.
3. 3. Use a paintbrush to apply the paint stripper. Follow the instructions specified on the label of your particular brand of paint stripper. Begin at the top of your wood surface and make your way to the bottom until the entire piece is covered. For large projects, apply paint stripper to one manageable section at a time.
4. 4. Wait for the stripper to work its magic. Consult your paint stripper's instructions to see how long you’ll need to wait before you can start scraping. Depending on the brand and the strength of its chemical ingredients, paint stripper can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours to soften the old paint.
5. 5. Thicken paint stripper using sawdust. Sprinkling a light layer of sawdust onto the wood surface before you begin scraping. This will thicken the stripper and make the old finish easier to remove.
6. 6. Use a scraper, putty knife, or wire brush to scrape away softened paint. To avoid scratching up the wood, use the lightest pressure possible to effectively do the job.
7. 7. If necessary, reapply more paint stripper. If you've removed as much paint as you can and there's still paint left, apply more paint stripper to the remaining areas and scrape again. For especially stubborn spots, try scraping with steel wool dipped in mineral spirits.
8. 8. Clean and sand the wood. Once all the paint is removed, wipe the wood down with a water-soaked cloth and sand the entire surface. After sanding, wipe away any remaining debris.

A heat gun blasts a stream of high-temperature air that causes layers of old paint to bubble up off a wood surface. Using a heat gun as a paint remover is quicker and cleaner than a chemical stripper, but heat guns can still create harmful fumes and can scorch your wood surface. When working with a heat gun, keep a metal paint tray nearby on which you can place the gun when you're not using it (and never leave a hot gun unattended). Wear the appropriate safety gear, which includes work gloves, safety glasses, protective clothing, and a respirator mask designed for use with heat guns. As a precaution, make sure to also have a fire extinguisher accessible.

1. 1. Turn on the heat gun and work across a small area. Once the gun heats up, hold it two inches away from the painted surface and move it back and forth across a small area until the paint starts to bubble. Avoid holding the gun in the same place for too long to prevent the paint finish from smoking or your wood from burning.
2. 2. Scrape the paint away using your opposite hand. In your other hand, hold a metal paint scraper at a 30-degree angle and use light pressure to scrape away the loosened layers of paint. Try to develop a natural flow of heating and scraping. If you scrape too hard, you’ll risk gouging the wood.
3. 3. Use the heat gun again on any stubborn areas and re-scrape. If your wood surface contains narrow or detailed areas, use a smaller contoured scraper to reach them.
4. 4. Wash the surface. Once you've removed all the paint, wash your entire surface using a soft cloth soaked in mineral spirits.

Sanders (including manual hand sanders and power sanders) are an effective way to remove paint from large, flat surfaces. Always wear safety goggles and a face mask when sanding. Refrain from using an electric sander indoors, and never use a sander on lead paint. Since a sander creates dust, it’s not safe to sand lead paint because it will release toxic lead dust into the air.

1. 1. Clean the surface. Before sanding, clean your painted wood surface using a household cleaner or dish soap. Wait until the surface is completely dry.
2. 2. Sand the entire surface using coarse 80-grit sandpaper. Always sand with the grain of the wood. Whether you're using a power sander or a hand sander, only use the minimum amount of pressure needed to remove the paint so that you don’t damage the wood.
3. 3. Sand the entire surface using medium 150-grit sandpaper. Wipe dust and debris off your surface before you start a second round of sanding.
4. 4. Sand the entire surface using fine 220-grit sandpaper. Sand the surface one more time, again wiping dust off the surface before you start.
5. 5. Clean the surface. Once you finish sanding, clear off the remaining dust and wipe the surface down with a water-soaked rag.

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