Refinish Furniture

Paint Stripper


View Larger Image

Power Sanders

Custom Search


Paint Stripper

There are several different types of paint stripper. Some types of paint stripper are very caustic and dangerous to use unless you use extreme precautions. There are other safer paint strippers, but you still need good protection and ventilation when you use them.

I won't attempt to list and explain all the different types and ingredients. It's best to read the paint stripper labels entirely, especially ingredients and precautions.

Methylene Chloride Based Strippers

The main ingredient in most commercially off the shelf paint strippers is methylene chloride. Methylene chloride will do a good job quickly, but you need to use maximum precautions and protection when you use methylene chloride based strippers. Breathing methylene chloride fumes or having direct contact with your skin can cause some pretty bad health problems and getting it in your eyes or ingesting it can cause far more than bad problems.

The Safer Paint Stripper

The safer paint stripper, such as Citristrip paint stripping gel is considerably safer than methylene chloride based, but still requires health and safety precautions.
(MORE BELOW)

free woodworking catalog
See our section of replies to questions people have asked.

Furniture First Aid Kit
Furniture
First Aid Kit
Liberon Ring Remover
Liberon
White Ring Remover
Restor-A-Finish
Restor-A-Finish
Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel
Citristrip
Paint & Varnish
Stripping Gel



Rockler's #1 Router Table Package

Stripping Paint

Methylene Chloride Residue From Stripping Paint Is Flamable

Methylene chloride residue from stripping paint is both toxic and highly flammable. Dispose of it in a responsible manner. Put residue and all used rags and paper towels in a metal covered container outside, as those materials can catch fire by spontaneous combustion.



restore a finish

Restor-A-Finish. With a simple wipe-on, wipe-off process, most finished wood surfaces that seem to need a refinishing job can be completely restored in a few minutes. White heat rings and water marks, sun fade, oxidation, smoke damage, and most other blemishes can be quickly eliminated.


Stripping paint is generally pretty easy after you initially get used to it and become familiar with the precautions.

Wax Skin

Most strippers have a wax skin or some other product that will form a light skin on the top of the stripper to keep it from evaporating too quickly.

When Stripping Paint With Thick Coats Apply a Generous Amount of Paint Stripper

Apply a generous amount of paint stripper and don't overbrush, because the skin begins to form as soon as the stripper is exposed to air and overbrushing will break the skin and cause quicker evaporation.

Let The Paint Stripper Work

The next important step is to have a good book or another project handy to keep you occupied while you let the paint stripper work. It's a chemical, so could take a long time to work.

Good Ventilation

Older more caustic strippers work quicker, but the more recent safer strippers will generally take a longer working time. The keyword is safer, not safe, use good ventilation with any chemicals.

Test The Paint Stripper

Test the paint stripper before it dries to see if the old finish or paint has loosened.

If you get to a good part in your book and can't put it down and the stripper dries just apply another good generous coat and it'll reactivate the old stuff that dried. Don't get too engrossed in your book this time though.

Stripper can be left on overnight and can be reactivated in the morning if something comes up that you have to leave it.

Read The Directions

As with all chemicals, read the directions thoroughly before you use it. Like our granddaughter said when she was four or five years old, "when in doubt, read the destructions".

Cleaning

One important step that most people skip is Cleaning a piece of furniture or kitchen cabinet before stripping it. You can save a lot of time and stripper by cleaning first.

Learn More About Paint Strippers

If you want to learn more about paint strippers you can use the search feature above to go to other parts of the site that have move information.

Maybe Restoration Would Be Better

Be sure to see if your furniture really needs stripping or if maybe Restoration would be better to take care of the situation.

Paint Stripping Tools And Supplies

Paint stripping tools - stripper liquid and/or heavy bodied - vegetable brush - toothbrush - paper towels - rags - paint brush - 000 steel wool - plastic scraper - dowel sharpened in a pencil sharpener - toothpicks - - heavy twine.

Anything that works and doesn't harm the wood surface is fair game.


Apply paint stripper liberally. Heavy bodied stripper works best on vertical surfaces and will work well on horizontal surfaces. Liquid stripper is best used only on horizontal surfaces and for removing the residue of heavy bodied stripper.



citristrip stripper

Citristrip Paint Stripper Gel. No methylene chloride. Strips multiple layers. Stays active up to 24 hours. For both indoor and outdoor use. Fresh orange scent. Easier on your health and the environment.



Read the label instructions on the container for paint stripping and allow the stripper to work for at least the recommended time, or longer. Test the softened surface with the plastic scraper and if a good amount comes off, then scrape the softened finish from the whole area where you have stripper.

Just scrape that amount that will come off easily and recoat the remaining old finish. Repeat as necessary until all the old finish is stripped off.



stripper wash

Citristrip Paint Stripper Wash. Removes residues from wood, metal and masonry. Prepares stripped surface for finishing. Pleasant orange scent.







Use the sharpened dowel and toothpicks to get the gicky stuff out of the corners and carvings. String is good for removing paint stripping residue from the tight places on spindles.


Clean the whole freshly stripped furniture piece or kitchen cabinet with denatured alcohol or lacquer thinner and let it sit and dry for at least 24 hours before you do anything else to it.


Your paint stripping project is done.




picture frame corner repair

Answers to Email | On-Line Catalog | Privacy Policy

Fountain Restoration.

Outdoor Furniture History, Care and more.

Please visit our other web site Toms Variety Something for everyone.


Google



copyright © 1998-2009 refinishfurniture.com



Put On A Happy Reface
Put On A Happy
Reface



Customized Drawers



Pressure Sensitive
Veneer




Rockler catalog
Woodcraft catalog

Free Catalogs
Free Catalogs
Woodworking
Stain - Finish
Kitchen - Tools
Lots More

Explore our site