You shouldn't throw away a piece of furniture or a nice wooden object just because it's covered with layers of old paint or a worn finish. Rather, consider refining it. There might be a beautiful wooden object underneath all that paint or glaze. Just knowing how to remove finishes from wood, using sandpaper or a chemical solvent, to bring that beauty back to light.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Remove Wood Finishes with Sandpaper
Step 1. Put on a dust mask and safety glasses
Sanding old paint or enamel releases small dust particles into the air that can irritate the eyes and lungs.
Step 2. Use a rough sandpaper to sand following the grain
Use a sanding sponge or wrap sandpaper around a sanding block when uncovering flat surfaces to ensure a smooth result.
Step 3. Switch to a medium grit sandpaper once you begin to see the texture of the wood through the paint or when the finish begins to dull
Step 4. Finish the job by sanding with fine-grained paper
This will smooth the wood and erase any traces of the finish.
Method 2 of 2: Remove Wood Finishes with Chemical Solvents
Step 1. Put on chemical resistant gloves, in addition to other protective clothing
Step 2. Place some cardboard under the wood
It will catch solvent drops and protect the surface underneath the wood from accidental damage.
Step 3. Choose which solvent to use
There are liquid and semi-pasty solvents. Solvents with dichloromethane (MC) work faster and remove almost all types of finishes.
Step 4. Pour the solvent into an empty paint can or metal bucket
Step 5. Use a brush to apply a very thick layer of solvent to the finish you want to remove
You can also spray the solvent on the surface of the wood if you have the right tools to do so.
Step 6. Try scraping the surface with a metal or plastic putty knife to see if the paint or finish has softened enough that you can scrape it off
It usually takes about 20 minutes; but times may vary from one solvent to another.
If it is ready, the finish should come off without too much effort. Otherwise, let the solvent sit a little longer, or add more
Step 7. Scrape the entire surface with your putty knife
You can use a hard natural bristle brush, or a rough sponge to remove the wood finish from the inlaid areas.
Step 8. Wash the wood with nail polish remover using the brush or sponge
Once cleaned, wipe the wood with cotton cloths. You may have to repeat the process a couple of times.
Step 9. Let the wood dry for 24 before re-coating it
Advice
- Chemical solvents are best suited for cleaning wood items with many inlays or areas that are difficult to sandblast.
- If the solvent dries too quickly, you can add more as you scrape.
- Read the solvent instructions to make sure you are using the right wood surface solvent. Read all warnings listed on the label.
- If you are cleaning up a large horizontal area, you can pour the chemical solvent over the surface and smear it with a brush.
- You can use a belt sander, circular or random orbital sander to clean large areas of wood with several layers of paint. Any of these mechanical methods will be quicker and easier than manual sanding.
- You can also clean finished wood or wood with several layers of paint using a hot air gun. However, it can be a dangerous method and could cause fires.
Warnings
- The fumes of chemical solvents can be toxic. Be sure to clean up paint or enamel in a well-ventilated area.
- Do not use MC solvent if you have heart problems. This type of solvent could cause a heart attack in someone who is already suffering.
