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Strip Paint from Wood
Bill Johnson - Groton, CT

Hardwarian Bill Johnson

Johnson True Value Hardware

Groton, CT

Strip Paint from Wood

Level: Beginner

As wood surfaces in your home age, their finishes can begin to flake or fade away. Whether the wood is covered with stain, varnish or paint, stripping the old finish off to add new stain or paint can give your wood’s beauty a new lease on life.

Restore wood furniture, trim, baseboards and banisters by first stripping them down to the wood. Follow the steps below to find out how.

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    • Step 1: Prepare for the Project
      remove paint from woodputty knife

      Work in a well-ventilated area such as your open garage or on an outdoor deck or patio. Make sure your work area is dry and dust-free. Use painter’s tape to secure a large drop cloth or tarp to the ground or floor to protect it against spills from chemical strippers and to make cleanup easier. Remove all furniture hardware, drawers, mirrors and doors with a screwdriver or another appropriate tool.

      If you are refinishing trim or other semi-permanent pieces, decide whether it will be best to leave them in place to refinish or remove them to work on in your workshop or garage area. You will have more control over the process if you remove them to work on them. If you leave them in place, be sure to protect the floor and other surfaces with a drop cloth that is put securely in place so that dust, debris and chemical stripping agents don’t damage floors or other areas that you don’t want marred. If you’re refinishing banisters or other permanent pieces, open doors and windows to ventilate the room.

      Helpful Tip

      For painted surfaces, scrape paint from a small area of the wood with a paint scraper to see how many layers of paint are already on the piece. This will give you an idea of the job ahead and better prepare you for how you will strip the piece down to bare wood.

      Safety Alert!

      If you’re removing paint from old wood, the paint may contain lead. Lead is toxic, and scraping, sanding or removing old paint may release lead dust into the air. Children and women who are pregnant should stay away from the work area during this process. When you're working with lead dust, wear a NIOSH-approved respirator and clean all debris carefully with a HEPA filter-outfitted vacuum and a wet mop. Before you start, learn the proper methods to protect yourself by contacting the National Lead Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or visiting www.epa.gov/lead.

      Clean wood with trisodium phosphate (TSP) and follow all manufacturer instructions. Use a sponge or spray bottle to apply the TSP solution and then wash all exterior surfaces. Let them dry completely.

      Safety Alert!

      Use TSP as directed by the manufacturer. TSP can corrode metal and damage finished wood. Be sure to wear protective clothing, eyewear and rubber gloves.

    • Step 2: Strip Away Old Finish
      finish remover

      You can remove stains, loose paint and varnish with a combination of sanding, scraping and chemical strippers. To remove finishes quickly from larger areas, use a random-orbit sander. Take care not to damage the piece by sanding too deeply. Use a fine-grit or medium-grit sandpaper. Sand carefully by hand around decoratively curved areas or other ornate features. For irregular areas, hand-sand with a rubber or foam sanding block.

      Chemical strippers need to be mixed with water, so check the manufacturer's directions before use. Use a medium-sized paintbrush to apply the solution evenly across the surface. Brush it on thickly with a single pass of the brush — don't brush it out the same way you would with paint. Let it soak in 20 to 30 minutes or until the finish has bubbled up before trying to remove it. Use a plastic paint scraper or a smooth, round-edged putty knife to begin scraping away the paint or stain residue. The surface may be soft so be careful not to damage it with the scraper. Keep a rag handy as well to wipe away residue. This can also help remove paint and stain, especially in hard-to-reach cracks and crevices. You can also try an old toothbrush, cotton swabs or steel wool for nooks and crannies. Allow the piece to dry completely.

      Safety Alerts!

      Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and wear rubber gloves and protective goggles when using strong chemicals.

      Never strip furniture near an open flame. Chemical strippers are highly flammable.

      Heat guns can be used as a supplement to other methods to remove particularly stubborn finishes. They are a quick and effective method for removing finish from flat surfaces, especially. Read the heat gun instructions carefully before use. To use the gun, heat a small area until the finish bubbles up and then scrape away the paint residue.

      Helpful Tip

      Heat guns can leave residue in the pores of the wood or in detailed areas and crevices that can't be scraped away. If you notice this is happening, stop and apply the chemical stripper to finish the job.

      Safety Alert!

      Always wear heavy gloves when using a heat gun because it can get very hot.

    • Step 3: Keep Sanding
      medium-grit sandpaper

      After using a scraper and chemicals, you may find the surface will have a raised grain or feels or looks ''fuzzy.'' If so, smooth the surface with fine-grit sandpaper. The more thorough you are during the stripping process, the less you'll need to sand. Continue sanding with medium/low-grit sandpaper to clean off any remaining finish and smooth out any imperfections in the wood that you may have missed. Then smooth the whole piece down with medium-grit sandpaper. Be sure to sand along the grain of the wood. Do this carefully as any swirl marks caused by sanding will stand out when you stain. Wipe away sanding dust with a damp rag.

      Good job! Your wood surfaces should now look how nature intended. Now get started refinishing in the method of your choice.

  • Here’s what you’ll need to complete this project successfully.

    Before you begin, use the shopping list below to uncheck the tools you already have to complete this project.

    Then, print or save your updated list and bring it to your local True Value hardware store, where an expert Hardwarian will give you the remaining tools and expert advice you need to complete this project.

    You can also shop online for these project items at TrueValue.com and receive FREE shipping to a participating store.

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$7 Instant Savings

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On all paint and stain through June 23rd, 2015. For a location near you call 1-800-6-Hardware or 1-800-642-7392. Available while supplies last. Offer available at participating stores. Product, prices, and promotion period may vary. True Value retailers are independently owned and operated and may decide to opt out of the promotion.

PAINT SALE - $5 FOR A QUART OF EASYCARE PAINT

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Buy a quart of EasyCare Ultra Premium paints for $5 through October 6th, 2015. For a location near you call 1-800-6-Hardware or 1-800-642-7392. Available while supplies last. Offer available at participating stores. Product, prices, and promotion period may vary. True Value retailers are independently owned and operated and may decide to opt out of the promotion.

 

Paints ranked by a leading consumer magazine for various qualities. Results varied by sheen. EasyCare was priced lower than those in top ten ranking based on published retail values at time of testing.

Buy One Get One Free

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On a gallon of EasyCare and WeatherAll paints, and Woodsman stain through July 19, 2016. For a location near you call 1-800-6-Hardware or 1-800-642-7392. Available while supplies last. Offer available at participating stores. Product, prices, and promotion period may vary. True Value retailers are independently owned and operated and may decide to opt out of the promotion.

$5 off Paint Sale!

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On a gallon of EasyCare and WeatherAll paints, and Woodsman stain through September 27, 2016. For a location near you call 1-800-6-Hardware or 1-800-642-7392. Available while supplies last. Offer available at participating stores. Product, prices, and promotion period may vary. True Value retailers are independently owned and operated and may decide to opt out of the promotion.

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