How to Strip Paint From Wood

Josh Richards • Nov 21, 2022

If your wood's paint needs to be updated or you desire a fresh look it is necessary to get rid of the old paint so that you have a new start. You might want to strip paint from exterior wood for a variety of reasons. It could be that you're renovating your home or refinishing your weathered and dull exterior wood to give it a fresh look.

But how do you take off the old paint? The most efficient way to get rid of old paint from your wood is by combining of chemicals such as stripper, pressure washer and some good old-fashioned elbow grease.

Before you begin stripping paint, go through this step-by-step guide to ensure you're doing it in the correct method. Let’s begin! 

Preparation

Paint strippers can be very strong and aggressive, so it's important to wear protective gear when you're working with them. The most important thing is to protect your skin. Wear gloves and long sleeves, and make sure your face is covered with a mask. You should also wear rubber boots to protect your feet from spills or splashing paint.

The next most important thing is to protect your eyes. If you get any of the paint stripper into your eyes, it can cause irritation, so use safety goggles while working.

Finally, remove any furniture that is present around the project you are working on, and cover the surrounding plants with plastic sheeting. Attach the plastic sheeting to windows, siding and the masonry on the wood using painter's tape. 

Supplies You Need For Stripping

 The right tools can make all the difference when it comes to stripping paint. Here are the things you'll need;
Pump up sprayer
Plastic to mask things with
Blue tape
Pressure washer
Hose
Wood Stripper
Brightener to neutralize stripper and open up pores.
Orbital sander

Paint Stripper and Neutralizer

When stripping paint, you must choose the proper chemicals for your job. Your choice of stripper is dependent on a number of factors: what type of paint you're removing, and from what kind of wood. Strippers that are safe for use on wood are usually labeled accordingly, but sometimes it's easy to miss this detail when shopping online or in stores. Stripper is best to use with a critical brightener or neutralizer. This will restore any wood surface outside to a new-cut state. Be sure to read all labels carefully before purchasing.

If you're unsure about something, contact expert to find if the products you are purchasing are appropriate for your needs.

Applying paint stripper

Paint strippers are generally an application of a gel using a roller or paintbrush, gels stick better and hold their water better. It can also be a solution that's dilute which you may apply using the garden sprayer. If you're using a liquid-based stripper, you can apply it with a pressurized sprayer for quick, simple application. Gel strippers tend to be too thick for sprayers, which means you'll need apply them manually.

Try to cover application in sections, work in 10 foot by 10 feet sections as you apply and take off the stripper. The stripper should be applied evenly over every surface. Follow the instructions given on the bottle/ container by manufacturer, give plenty of time for the stripper to start stripping the previous paint. This typically takes between 10 and 15 minutes.

Test a few spots to determine if the paint peels off. Check for signs that paint appears soft and begin to bubble. This indicates that it's time to strip off the paint. 

Remove Paint from Wood

Utilize a power washer that is set to low pressure to scrape off your softened paint from wood. Make sure you don't use too much pressure when doing this. Don't go overboard by being closer to your woodwork or setting pressure that is too much. The ideal is to set the pressure at 1,000 PSI. The nozzle should be between 9 and 12 inches from the wood so that it doesn't risk damaging the wood. A higher pressure can harm the decking boards and push water into them, which could cause an eventual rot-related issue. Be careful while moving across the deck. Begin in one place and make sure you remove every drop of loose paint prior to moving onto the next one. make sure to cover all plants,

Tip: Don't use hot water. Cold water is equally efficient and hot water can cause damage to wood. Pressure washers are not suggested for use on older decks made of wood because it can easily be damaged.

A more gentle method is to scrape away the majority of the paint using the help of a putty knife, and then scrub the area with a nylon brush with a stiff-bristled. This method is best when the surface remains moist. The use of a power washer is quicker, but it requires the use of hoses, equipment, and expert trick, which some individuals prefer to avoid.

Apply a Brightener or Neutralizer

Use a cleaner brightener/neutralizer to remove the paint stripper residue and then rinse. After you've applied all those harmful substances on decking boards the pH levels of your decking boards will vary. If you neutralize the pH of your decking boards using a wood brightener, you'll protect your deck from the recurrence of mold, rot, and more.

Furthermore, these chemicals may help bring back some of the natural wood's color improving its brightness and making the natural wood finish appear more luxurious. It's not necessary but it could help in safeguarding your deck and creating a new deck looks as lavish as you can get.

Optional- Sand your wood

Latexes and oil-based paints that have been sitting on the deck for a long period might require additional methods of removal. If the stripper for paint, power washer or nylon brush did not remove enough from the surface Sanding will be the following step to take off the paint. The wood should be allowed to completely dry, and then sand the wood.

Make use of a fine-grit sandpaper, or belt sander. It is a great alternative to remove the wood fibers that are fuzzy left by pressure washing. Be sure to choose the appropriate size of grit. It's not necessary to go further than 150. It's best to choose a sandpaper with a fine-grit to complete this task, and ideally in the range of 150-180 grit.

This is done to remove any fine specks or flecks of paint, and helps smooth the wood to prepare for a fresh coat of finish. Sand along the grain of the wood and then sweep away the dust from sanding prior to applying the new finish. When all the paint is gone the nail heads, gouges or holes may become more apparent. Countersink the raised nails using the hammer and then fill holes or gouges using an exterior wood filler prior to staining or painting.

Final Words

When you've done stripping, your wood is now ready to stain. It is essential that you wash off the stripping agent prior to doing this. The stripper will be working on the coating that has been applied if the entire layer hasn't been eliminated. Remove and clean any reusable tools that you used in the process.

If you have any questions or comments about this process, please feel free to leave us a note in the comments section below!

FAQ
What opinions I have to strip paint from wood?

There are many ways to strip a painted surface. The most common method is to use a chemical stripper, which comes in a gel, liquid or powder form. You can also sand the paint off or use an electric sander to remove it. Another option is to use heat and steam, which works well on woodwork that has been painted with oil-based paint but not on latex paints.

Can I strip off paint from my exterior wood myself?

Anyone can take paint off of wood using the proper tools/ chemicals and the knowledge to use them correctly. The most commonly used methods to get rid of paint is using chemical strippers or heat guns, sanding or other natural products that don't contain any chemical ingredients. To decide which option is the best choice for you, take into consideration the price of materials as well as user-friendliness for each method.

I don’t want to use chemicals, how can Iremove paint from wood naturally?

If you’re trying to remove paint from wood, you don’t have to use harsh chemicals. Here are some natural solutions that will make your job easier.

Baking soda and vinegar

This is one of the most popular recipes for removing paint from wood. You just need baking soda, vinegar and water. Mix them all together in a bucket, then apply the paste on the surface of the wood. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then scrub with a brush or sponge. Rinse with water when done.

Salt and lemon juice

Salt has been used for centuries as an ingredient in many DIY cleaning solutions, so it won’t come as a surprise that it also works well for removing paint from wood! Mix salt with lemon juice in equal parts and apply it on your wooden surface using a cloth or sponge (it works best if you let it sit overnight). Scrub with a brush or sponge until all traces of the paint disappear. Rinse off with water when done.