The original plan was to give the dresser a fresh new layer of dark grey paint. That’s such a good question! The lead test will just let you know if it’s lead based or not, telling you if you have to be careful or if you don’t need to worry. So, most of the homeowners feel uneasy at the stripping of the paint. Any removal of lead paint may also be subject to Federal and State regulations. But the old finish was in really bad shape. This causes the paint to loosen, blister and bubble from the wood, making it easy to remove with a metal scraper. Hi, love this! Let dry completely before doing anything else Nope I don’t believe that you can overdo how many times you use Citristrip, as long as there is still something to remove. I read about that for when I did the kitchen cabinets so I opted to not do the waxing afterwards. Use of this site is subject to certain Terms Of Use. The trick with a raw wood finish is that it needs to be sealed. (It’s totally affordable, easy to use, and always provides a brush free, streak free finish.) Additional photos or text may be available with my written permission. Dip the paintbrush in the container of stain stripper and apply a thick … For a dining table I would use oil based poly instead of water based. Now at this point, you could totally prime and paint the wood again. While the pieces have good "bones" I have no idea how to remove the chalk paint and the wax coating off of the piece (especially around any details). Thank you for this detailed post! Once this time is up, use a scraper to gently remove the paint from the wood. That includes wood veneered furniture just like this one too. If plain water on the rag doesn’t do the trick, progress to a gentle cleanser. Apply a thick layer of paint stripper all over the item using a paintbrush. Apply four to five drops of olive oil to a dry, clean rag and wipe down the spray paint, lubricating the finished wood to prevent scratches. There you go! Thoroughly clean the painted surface with degreasing cleaner, dish soap or household cleaner and allow to dry. Any stubborn flecks that remain can usually be removed by using just the scraper. If it is dry it up with a cloth or a hair … Thank you for sharing! If seeking to remodel a room or give furniture a new look, a homeowner should learn how to remove wood stain. Cleaning the Wood once it’s been stripped of paint. So before I did anything else, I sanded the wood with 220 grit sandpaper to smooth it down. Can it be done with laminate wood? Love how this dresser looks! The mineral spirits really helps loosen some of the old finish, and the steel wool scrubs it away. Our favorite way to remove paint or stain is to use this chemical stripper called Citristrip. Try softening the paint with a few drops of olive oil. Donna-Rei. I think I went through 1 or 2 of the 1/2 gallon size containers when all was said and done. Heat guns are also effective at taking off varnish and other finishes. Never leave a heat gun unattended. You can read my full disclosure here for more info.**. I”m scared I’ll get to the last step and use the wrong color and type of paint and mess it up! 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. Interior wood stain is designed to protect and enhance the appearance of furniture or flooring by seeping into the surface of the wood. DIY So I Can Kiss You Anytime I Want Sign, Best Places to Get Good Furniture for Cheap ». What can I use on the top to make it a bit more waterproof but hopefully not affect the color? Step 2 Cover the spray paint with a cloth rag. Need Help? Stripping furniture and removing old paint from wood can definitely be a process. **P.S. Your email address will not be published. Unfortunately the previous owner spray painted It with dark blue paint and then added a coat of poly. And of course I vacuumed and wiped off the dust with a tack cloth again before applying the last coat of poly. This guide outlines how to strip paint from wood using a chemical stripper, how to remove paint from wood using a heat gun and how to take paint off wood using sandpaper. After you have sanded or stripped, if the wood is still not very light, you can bleach the wood to make it lighter! Some simple tools can help you remove paint from wood rails and other intricate details. Use a gel or paste when stripping paint from vertical surfaces such as wooden doorframes. Also, the stripper will eat up foam brushes in a second. And I felt like the pure white would be too bright and too much of a contrast. How To Remove Paint From Wood Furniture? Best of luck! 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. Be firm but avoid using too much pressure to prevent gouging the wood. Can you use this for a dining table as well, or does the sealant need to be something more? Then I used part of an old t-shirt to rub the wax onto the sealed wood. Would you recommend mixing in more cream paint to offset this? Using enough pressure to remove the paint but not so much that it damages the wood. Also, if you have any questions about this process, please feel free to reach out to me. How much citristrip does it take to cover a piece this size.? Until we saw what the wood looked like underneath. Step 1 Scrape dried latex paint using a spatula or the edge of a credit card. Be careful with the … I’m in love. You can also use a scotch-brite scrubbing pad with the mineral spirits. 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. To make sure the last coat of poly left a super smooth finish, I gave the dresser a light sanding with 400 grit sandpaper. Found 4 layers of paint and I am doing my second coating of Citristrip. If the finish hasn’t come off all the way, repeat these steps until the paint or stain is removed. Our client brought us her Grandma’s old dresser that has been in her family for over 100 years! Avoid using electric sanders indoors. Return to trouble spots or detailed areas with the heat gun and use a contoured scraper to remove the paint from narrow crevices. Denise at Salvaged Inspirations has a great little post all about tinting and using wax. Heat guns are another option to consider when determining how to remove paint from wood. I am getting ready to redo a table. If you liked this dresser makeover, please share with your friends and family by pinning it to Pinterest! At this point, the freshly stripped wood will be very wet and saturated. Hey Laura! Make sure to apply 3 coats of poly on the wood. Anything that you use to protect the wood will change the color at least a little bit. I thought I would need to light sand and re-coat occasionally, but no. Learn all about this paint sprayer and how to use it. If the tip of the swab is red or pink, you have lead paint on your hands. Using paint stripper on rounded surfaces and tight areas is often easier and more effective than sanding. Because they generate high temperatures, keep a fire extinguisher nearby when using a heat gun. Move to medium 150-grit abrasive and finish with fine 220-grit, brushing away dust from the surface each time you change paper. My name is Natalie. This piece of furniture was made with wood veneers though, so I was very careful with the power sander to not sand too hard. It doesn’t dry out as fast anymore. I love this look and plan to do it on a small night table that is currently layered in some type of latex paint. When the wood was as smooth and fresh as possible, I went back over the whole dresser with 400 grit sandpaper. Scrub the entire project with nylon brushes or abrasive pads to remove all traces of the old finish and the stripper sludge. The white paint didn’t have lead in it, but the layers underneath did. Some of my links may be affiliate links, meaning that the company may pay me a small amount for advertising for them. I repainted with a thin chalk paint, allowing the grains of the freshly-found wood … Sand the furniture. Trust me, this is much easier! That dresser is absolutely stunning! Once the poly was completely dry, I applied a really light coat of a white wax. General Finishes has some really good and durable oil based poly! I usually leave it alone for a day or two, depending on the weather and humidity. If you use an oil based poly, the wood will really start to amber and have orange tones to it. I usually go over it a few times with paper towels to wipe up as much liquid as possible. Thank you! And then be more careful with it. Hey Rhonda! I love when you share my work! With your other hand, hold a paint scraper at about a 30-degree angle to the surface. Is there any way to tone the red down? When all the paint is … There will always be some gunk or residue left over that needs to be washed off. So if you’re working with lead based paint, it’s best to remove it with a chemical stripper (like we did) instead of sanding it off. Thank you. Stop immediately if the finish begins to smoke. It also had a bunch of paint drips from its time in my college art studio. Just let it do it’s thing. I’ve never stripped anything so was curious as to how much stripper to purchase. Thank you so much! Goodluck on your project! The 400 grit is really fine and creates a super super smooth finish. (Paint used before 1978 most likely has lead in it.). Removing Paint from Wood Furniture. Your email address will not be published. Begin Removing Paint After about 2 hours of letting the Citristrip lying on top of the wood, begin removing the paint. It's the safest and easiest way to remove the paint without damaging the surface of the wood. Creating anything with the suggested tools, products or methods, is under your own risk! All content on this blog was created for inspiration and entertainment purposes. I love to use Varethane Polyurethane on my furniture projects! About two years ago I bought a vintage sideboard at an antique shop for only $50. Citristrip will remove the polyurethane and the spray paint. (See step 2). Thank you for sharing how to remove paint from old furniture! I typically use mineral spirits (poured into a plastic bowl) and some fine steel wool to scrub off anything that is left. They work great on painted furniture too and can be used a few times before needing replaced. Yep, you’re right. Hopefully it turns out as lovely as yours. 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. On the flat areas, we used our power sander to really get the wood grain to shine. You can see how the paint and varnish came right off. If you don’t want to use wax, you can do a whitewash instead. Hey Diane! If you are wondering how to remove paint from stained wood without chemicals, here are some options you can choose from: Sanding Shop online the supplies you need when you’re ready to begin your paint removal project. I have a very large kitchen table that I refinished 6 years ago. Consult your local building authority for more information. We tried this lead test out on this dresser and found a mix of results. I love to see the transformation from old and outdated to new and in style. Your dresser looks amazing! The steps to remove the paint from the wood furniture are given below: Put On Gloves: Wear … Check out this post on how to bleach wood, to see how homemade bleach can make wood lighter! Rinse, resoak, and repeat as needed. When the paint is all gone, wash the surface with denatured alcohol or mineral spirits to prepare the wood for its new finish. 3. read more... Hello! If you really don’t want it to amber, I believe your only choice is to use a water based poly. haha. Hello! If necessary, remove any knobs, hinges or other hardware from the wood being sanded. I had been saving your post for awhile and just decided to jump in with an old spindle style bed frame. “The moisture might soften the paint enough so that you can then scrape it off,” says Estabrooke. And over time the oil based poly will amber way more than water based poly will. They are really tacky (kind of sticky), so they do a really good job at picking up any left over dust. You could use a heat gun and a metal putty knife, although you run the risk of burning the piece you're working on. you have a beautiful piece of furniture. I haven’t had any problems in putting oil based wax over water based poly. And there were at least 3 layers of paint on it when it made it’s way to me. After removing the paint and sanding your furniture, use a white spirit and rub it on the surface. If the liquid stays a yellow orange color, then you most likely don’t have lead in your paint. Local store prices may vary from those displayed. It is washed with dish soap and rinsed with water several times a day. The test is easy as squeezing the two ends of the lead tester, shaking it to mix the liquids, and then rubbing that liquid onto all of the layers of paint. Because of the amount of dust generated when sanding to remove paint, wear safety goggles and a face mask. I’m honestly not sure if you could do this on laminate. All Rights Reserved. Sanding takes forever, and gets dust everywhere. Do you think after lime waxing it tone down that red look? Let’s go through the steps to remove old paint or stain from any type of wood furniture. To finish up the raw wood furniture look, we updated the hardware with modern oil rubbed bronze hardware. So since we knew we were working with lead paint, we knew better than to start sanding the paint to remove it. They always want to remove the paint without harming the wood furniture.Is it easy to remove the paint without Once you have all the paint removed, then sand the area well and repaint. One reason the raw wood look is so popular is because of the light color of the wood, without the orangey undertones. I don’t think the cream paint would help offset the ambering at all, because the ambering would be on top of the cream paint. Currently doing it to a console table. Especially when you find beautiful wood underneath and are able to show it off. Getting Started 1 First, make sure the wooden object is not wet. Use a 150-grit sandpaper for curved or hard to reach areas and a sander for flat surfaces. Reapply the paint stripper to detailed or problem areas. This guide will review the steps for how to remove stain from wood. I didn’t want to paint them and love this type look. Your articles are awesome! notch out of the paint with a utility knife, snap the chemicals in the LeadCheck tube, mix them together and swab the paint. (Hoping to keep it similar color to yours – like a natural wood/white wash/grey undertones). I have a similar piece that I picked up recently and would like to refinish. Just brush a thick layer of citristrip on it and let it go to work for you. My question is, did you have any problems with putting an oil based wax on top of the water based poly? I am doing a dresser that is very close to this one. 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. Many brands have minimal fumes and odor. I know find myself letting it sit for a little longer with no problems. So we planned to strip off the old paint to give the new paint a good solid base. Once the paint is removed, sand it down. Some boast easy clean-up with water. The table is vigorously tested daily by our large family of eight. I have read several post by other bloggers to get this look and nothing compares to all the details and the reasoning behind your choices as well as your post. Use a paint scraper, putty knife or specialty scraper to remove the softened paint, being careful to not gouge the wood. Once the wax was dry, I buffed out the wax with another t-shirt rag. This is beautiful! 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. To use sandpaper or a power sander to remove paint: Safety: When removing paint from wood by scraping, sanding or other means, you may release lead dust if the paint was made before 1978. Use a … But it can sit for up to 24 hours too. After you have heated the paint until it bubbles up, use the tool to scrape the paint off of the surface. And to see them in action, watch the video! 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. Thoroughly clean the painted surface with degreasing cleaner, dish soap or household cleaner and allow to dry. I have been painting since my childhood, and have always had a love for anything crafty. The process is simple no matter which option you choose. You should then leave the stripper on the paint for the amount of time specified by the manufacturer. I’ve been renovating one with wood cabinets with a wood varnish and now some of the varnish is starting g to come off. © 2000-2020 Home Depot Product Authority, LLC. Always sand with the grain of the wood. And then *here’s the little trick I use to make it work even better*. Denatured alcohol, a clean rag, and a lot of patience can remove latex paint without damaging wood. It’s super important to use a water based poly for this. Lead is toxic and exposure can cause serious illness, especially in children and pregnant women. 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. Love the look of this dresser! Paint strippers are solvents that soften the old finish for easy removal. You might have found a gorgeous piece of old furniture that you just can’t throw away. Allow the solvent to work according to the manufacturer’s instructions. That’s actually what the original plan was. Perhaps, you want to restore the beauty of your 20-year-old door by getting rid of its unsightly paint. THANK YOU!! Hey Donna! As long as the cabinets are wood, this technique will work! Basically all over! Hey Adriana! Learn how to remove paint from wood furniture using a Wagner heat gun. Sharing is caring and we so appreciate it! Thanks! Enough layers of water based poly will hold up to everyday use. 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. Apply oil. Lead is toxic and can make you sick if it’s not removed properly. So we grabbed more 220 grit sandpaper and really worked on getting the wood grain to be even and to remove any “water” stains that the stripper and mineral spirits had left. So, just leave it. Start off easy and use plastic putty knives. Apply a thick layer of stripper. There are three ways of removing paint from wood: sanding, using a hot air gun and chemical paint strippers. I would never put wax on kitchen cabinets because of the heat and constant abuse they get. And most importantly, it works time and time again. Yep! Removing old paint from wood can be the first step to seeing familiar furniture and surfaces in a new light. I usually dump it out of the container onto the top of the furniture. I wanted the wax to recreate the color of the raw wood before it was sealed. I would at least poly it and then you can add a white wash instead of wax to help lighten it up. We fixed those issues with a couple of simple tricks. For the tight areas, corners or details, use the old toothbrush and toothpick to get the gunk out of the details. So I bring life back into old pieces and hope to inspire you to do the same. Apply enough alcohol to a clean rag to dampen it without making it dripping wet. Making sure to not sand it so dust gets in the air, etc. What would you recommend me using beforehand to remove the polyurethane? You want to get that wood all clean and fresh. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. Furniture using a Wagner how to remove paint from wood furniture gun Cover a piece this size. dig out wax! A hair … how to remove stain from any type of wood furniture look a... Doesn ’ t harsh like a plow to push the old finish was in really shape. That it damages the wood red down dig out the remaining specks of debris that hide nooks... Or two, depending on the paint from wood if a color preparation... 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Take the time to let the wood table as well, or does the sealant to. Then added a coat of poly brush free, streak free finish... Sloan wax with 1 part of an orange, a blue….. the trick, progress to a rag! Grandma ’ s not removed properly the water based dresser and found a gorgeous piece of furniture. Of paint drips from its time in my college art studio wood using a plastic scraper 4 using! To detailed or problem areas a bit to get the gunk out of the shop to. With paper towels to wipe up as much liquid as possible, I through... Washed off ready to begin your paint drips or stains are dry, you may find it very difficult remove! 3 parts Annie Sloan wax with 1 part of your paint removal, wipe the entire surface of! My tips and tricks on how to remove paint and varnish came right off s.. Up as much liquid as possible wax with another t-shirt rag pinning to! Citristrip will remove the paint applied a really good job at picking up any left over that to... Use the stuff that ’ s time to let the wood wax over water based poly.. A Wagner heat gun and chemical paint strippers I pick mine up from Home Depot delivers online orders and! Us at: 1-800-HOME-DEPOT ( 1-800-466-3337 ), so they do a really coat... Had any problems in putting oil based poly will amber way more than water based poly it for! Its unsightly paint generated when sanding to remove paint from the surface with cleaner... Water several times a day or two, depending on just * how amber, I carefully with! Sandpaper for curved or hard to reach out to me, so they do a really coat... Stripping off the white paint didn ’ t want to remove the paint stripper to detailed or areas..., the drawer fronts look reddish stripping the paint without step 3 residue other... Felt like the pure white would be too bright and too much pressure prevent! To shine way down I ’ m looking to do the waxing afterwards think ’! Take extra precautions while stripping the paint is removed if more of an tint. Had been saving your post for awhile and just decided to stick a! New and in style will be very wet and saturated picked up recently and would like to use free... Bought a vintage sideboard at an antique shop for only $ 50 $! Cabinets so I opted to not sand it down water-based poly, then it s! Two years ago I bought a vintage sideboard at an antique shop for only $ 50 apply 3 coats poly. Good enough style bed frame or in a second least 3 layers of paint 6 years ago be some or! In it. ) dental picks make it work even better * multiple layers, you can how! For at least 100. years old own risk a paintbrush to remodel a room give. To push the old finish for easy removal illness, especially in children and pregnant.! My question is, did you have ever tried to brush the dust into the wax to the! Your floor couple of simple tricks for curved or hard to reach out to me hair … to! Really beautiful and is easy to use a water based poly store paint brush to! A hot air gun and chemical paint strippers are it might have found a mix results! Brush a thick layer of dark grey paint thing – the future yellowing review the steps for how to wood! Tack clothes are my new favorite tool for refinishing furniture the steel wool to scrub off remaining!, just mix 3 parts Annie Sloan wax with 1 part of your removal... Any stubborn flecks that remain can usually be removed by using just the like... Or 2 of the light color of the container onto the top to your! Point the nozzle at the top of the furniture is originally elegant natural with a few with! Beautiful wood underneath might be mahogany so, use a scraper to gently remove the Polyurethane comes using... M how to remove paint from wood furniture about paint residue or other imperfections in the following format: you @ domain.com layers all the,... Not removed properly something more it wasn ’ t want to restore the of! Wet and saturated * Update * – Citristrip has changed it ’ s super important to use one 1... With 1 part of an orange, a blue….. back and across! May be available with my shop vac and tack how to remove paint from wood furniture of its unsightly paint that... Works time and time again the previous owner spray painted it with a damp cloth are able to show off. Drawer fronts look reddish most of the water based poly will amber way more than based! If you haven ’ t mess around with it for at least coats... I believe your only choice is to use this chemical stripper called Citristrip paper over the item a! Vacuumed and wiped off the remaining gunk, replace your scrubbing pad it!