How to Strip Wood Finishes

Co-authored by Sarah Fogle

Last Updated: January 13, 2023 References Approved

You shouldn't throw away a piece of furniture or a nice piece of wood just because it has layers of old paint or old worn-out varnish on it. Instead, think about refinishing it. There could be a beautiful piece of wood under all that paint or varnish. It might just take you knowing how to strip wood finishes by sanding or using chemical strippers to find that beauty.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Strip Wood Finishes With Sandpaper

1
Wear a dust mask and protective goggles. Sanding old paint or varnish releases minute dust particles into the air that can irritate your eyes and lungs.
2
Use coarse sandpaper to sand with the grain. Use a sanding sponge or wrap the sandpaper around a sanding block when stripping flat surfaces to ensure a smooth finish.

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3
Switch the sandpaper to a medium grit once you begin to see the wood grain showing through the paint or the varnish starts to dull.
4
Finish the job by sanding with fine-grit sandpaper. This will smooth out the wood and get rid of any remaining finish.^{[1]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Strip Wood Finishes With Chemical Stripper

1
Add chemical-resistant gloves to your protective clothing.^{[2]
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2
Place cardboard underneath the wood. This will catch all the drips from the stripper and protect the surface under the wood from unintentional damage.
3
Decide which stripper you want to use. There are liquid and semi-paste strippers. Strippers with methylene chloride (MC) work faster and will remove almost all types of finishes.^{[3]
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4
Pour the stripper into an empty paint can or metal bucket.
5
Use a brush to apply a very thick coat of the stripper onto the finish you want to strip. You can also spray the stripper onto the wood surface if you have the right tools to do so.^{[4]
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6
Try scraping the surface with a metal or plastic scraper to see whether the old paint or varnish is soft enough to scrape. This usually takes about 20 minutes; however, this can vary from 1 type of stripper to another.^{[5]
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- If it is ready, the finish should come off without much effort. If it does not, allow the stripper to sit a little longer or add more stripper.
7
Scrape the entire surface with your scraper. You can use a stiff cleaning brush with natural bristles or a heavy cleaning sponge to strip wood finishes in grooved areas.^{[6]
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8
Wipe down the wood with lacquer thinner using the brush or sponge. Once clean, wipe the wood with cotton rags. You may have to repeat this process a couple of times.
9
Allow the wood to dry for 24 hours before re-coating it.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I keep the area clean when I'm stripping wood?

Sarah Fogle
DIY Specialist
Sarah Fogle is a DIY Home Improvement Specialist and the creator of Ugly Duckling House. With over a decade of experience, Sarah specializes in beginner-friendly home remodeling projects. Sarah holds an MBA from Georgia State University. She has been featured in multiple publications including Better Homes and Gardens and Make Magazine. She has also partnered with brands such as Lowe's, Home Depot, and Martha Stewart Crafts.

Sarah Fogle

DIY Specialist

Expert Answer

Lay out a tarp or dropcloth, and be sure to work in a well-ventilated area to prevent fumes or dust from building up.
Question

What is lacquer thinner?

Community Answer

Lacquer thinner is a high-solvency, medium drying thinner for lacquer. It helps improve the flow and leveling when applying lacquer so your finish is smooth and streak free.
Question

Does varnish need to be removed before applying paint?

Techdocgeek

Community Answer

For traditional painting projects, you should remove the varnish if you want the next coat of paint to last for a long time. However, If you're 'distressing' something and intending to show many layers, you could leave the varnish in place, or just partially removed.

Warnings

The fumes from chemical strippers can be toxic. Make sure to strip paint or varnish in a well-ventilated area.

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Do not use MC stripper if you have an existing heart condition. This type of stripper may trigger a heart attack in those with heart trouble.

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