Home Improvement Painting Painting Furniture

How to Strip Paint From Wood

Sanding, Natural Options, and the Best Chemical Paint Strippers to Use

Lauren Thomann

Updated on 06/25/24

removing paint from the floor with a hot air gun repair tools — Aleksandr Volunkov / Getty Images

In This Article

Project Overview

Working Time: 1 - 5 hrs
Total Time: 1 - 2 days

Skill Level: Beginner
Estimated Cost: $30

A paint stripper for wood is used when you want to restore a piece of woodwork or furniture. Sanding old wood is often labor-intensive, and dusty, and if the item was painted before 1978, it might have lead in the paint, which should never be sanded for health reasons.

A chemical paint stripper is one of the best ways to remove paint from wood by softening it and scraping it off without sanding. These strippers are notoriously harsh, but newer formulations and natural ingredients have dialed back some of the more caustic elements.

Learn how to use various types of paint strippers for wood with the following steps.

The 7 Best Paint Strippers of 2024

Best Ways to Strip Paint

Paint Stripper

Chemical paint strippers use chemicals like dichloromethane to effectively loosen paint and cause it to peel away from wood. However, these can be incredibly dangerous if not used correctly.

Sandpaper

Sandpaper will remove paint through abrasion. Start with a coarse 80-grit sandpaper to get the initial coat off. Work your way up to 220-grit sandpaper as you get to the final coats.

Heat Gun

A heat gun is another excellent and fast option that also softens the paint without adding chemicals to the project. However, heated paint aerosolizes and can become a harmful vapor. This method is also risky because the wood may catch fire or burn.

Steam Stripper

A steam stripper uses water vapor to soften paint. While it creates a lot of moisture, which could damage the wood, it also avoids dust and other harmful fumes.

Infrared Devices

An infrared device heats paint at a low and slow rate. If you believe you have lead paint, use this method because it will not heat up to a high enough degree to vaporize the lead in old paint.

Safety Considerations

Undertake this project in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors. Wear gloves, a mask, safety glasses, an apron, and protective clothing before beginning. Do not attempt this project in open-toed shoes or shorts.

Equipment / Tools

Metal putty knife
Gloves
Protective eyewear
Ventilator
Apron
Hand or power sander (optional)
Heat gun (optional)
Steam stripper (optional)
Infrared heat device (optional)

Materials

Paint stripper of choice
Paintbrush
Mineral spirits or water
Steel wool (without soap)
Sandpaper (80-, 150-, and 220-grit)
Tack cloths
Rags

How to Strip Paint From Wood

Strip Paint With Paint Stripper
- Apply the chemical paint stripper according to the manufacturer's directions. Brush on the stripper in one direction with a thick coat.
- Scrape the paint off with a metal putty knife when it begins to bubble. Do not use a plastic putty knife or it could melt.
- Reapply the stripper, depending on the number of layers you need to remove.
- Clean the surface with mineral spirits and a cloth after layers of paint are removed.
- Use a fine piece of steel wool dunked in mineral spirits to get the last stubborn bits of paint off.
- Prep the wood for refinishing when it's dry by giving it a light sanding to smooth the edges.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Strip Paint With Sandpaper
- Begin sanding a cleaned and degreased painted surface with 80-grit sandpaper (use a hand or power sander if preferred). Use caution so the pressure does not damage the wood.
- Sand using 150-grit, then 220-grit sandpaper, each time dusting away the particles from the surface.
- Clean the surface with a damp cloth or tack cloth when finished sanding.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Strip Paint With a Heat Gun
- Point the nozzle of your heat gun at the paint a couple of inches away from the surface.
- Quickly move the gun back and forth over a small area of paint until it bubbles.
- Scrape the paint away.
- Use denatured alcohol or mineral spirits to clean the wood once all the paint is removed.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Strip Paint With Steam Strippers
- Hold the steam stripper about an inch away from a small section of the painted surface for a few seconds until the paint begins bubbling.
- Scrape off the bubbling paint with a scraper.
- Repeat section to section, heating and scraping off the paint.
- Sand the wood smooth and clean the dust with a tack cloth.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Strip Paint With Infrared Devices

This method is similar to removing paint with steam heat.
- Heat an area of paint until it bubbles and begins to slightly smoke. Do not heat the paint too long or the wood may burn.
- Scrape off the bubbling paint.
- Repeat the process until all the paint is gone.
- Sand the wood smooth, dust off, and clean the remaining particles with a tack cloth.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris

FAQ

Do I need to strip old paint before repainting?

If you're painting over an old paint job that's not crumbling, feathering, or chipping, you don't have to remove the old paint. If you intend to stain the wood, you would need to strip any old paint or varnish for the stain to penetrate the wood. You might want to sand the wood if it has a glossy sheen so the new paint adheres easily.
What is the fastest way to sand paint off wood?

For most projects, you only need to sand and scrape off loose, cracking, chipping, or peeling paint. However, all paint needs to be sanded off of wood that will be stained.
What is the best thing to strip paint from wood?

The best, easiest, and fastest way to strip paint is to use a chemical or citrus stripper and a paint stripping tool to peel away the loosened paint.

How to Scrape Paint With 3 Common Tools

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.