How to Remove Paint
Tips and Tricks for Removing Paint from Furniture
By removing old paint you can breathe new life into a piece of furniture.
I'm all for finding "new" furniture at garage sales, estate sales and thrift stores. Usually these items are structurally sound and have some architectural features that appeal to you and if you can see past the ugly paint, job you might just have a piece you'll cherish for years to come.
Do you need to strip the old paint off? Possibly, if the surface is clean and smooth then don't worry about removing old paint, just slap a new coat on. But if the old paint job is cracked and chipped you may want to strip all of the old paint off before you begin your project. You may also discover that the underlying wood is really attractive and instead of covering it with a layer of paint you might want to enhance its natural beauty with a coat of stain. Also, distressing furniture is very popular and if you're interested in having the wood peek through your top coat you've got to get that old paint out of there.
Now that you've decided the paint must go, whatever the reason, how do you go about removing it? There are three basic ways to remove paint. The first is sanding. If there is only one coat of paint on the item then this may be the way to go. No chemicals are involved and it just takes a little elbow grease.
Your next option is to use heat to soften the paint so you can scrape it off. But this method is probably the least effective.
The most effective way to remove old paint or varnish is by using a chemical remover. There is a huge variety of products on the market and you should research your project a little before you select a stripper. The chemical remover will soften the paint so you can scrape it off or wash it with water. Removers come in paste or liquid form. Liquid works on thin layers of paint and can usually be washed off. Paste is for trickier jobs where the paint is thick or if you have overhead work to do.
Liquid and paste remover require different techniques, which are listed on the back of the product. It's fairly easy to remove paint using the manufacturer instructions but there are key points to remember. Work on small areas so thinner doesn't dry. Protect your skin, eyes and lungs while working with chemicals. And don't get carried away. The wood underneath is what you're looking to preserve so be careful not to scrape or nick the wood and avoid water damage.
