Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 4: Remove paint stains
• Method 2 of 4: Remove paint with heat
• Method 3 of 4: Forcefully remove paint
• Method 4 of 4: Remove paint with chemical paint stripper
• Necessities

There are several ways to remove paint from wood. When it comes to small spatters, you can usually just wipe them off without too much effort. Larger jobs usually require heat, power or a chemical. Here's what you need to know about each method.

To step

Method 1 of 4: Remove paint stains

1. Remove fresh latex with water. Spilled latex can usually be removed by wiping it up with a soft cloth soaked in water.
   • Soak a soft, clean cloth in warm water.
   • Wring out the excess water so you don't drip onto other parts. Brush off the paint.
   • Rub the paint stain. You may have to rinse and re-wet the cloth a few times to remove all of the paint.
   • Dry the wood with another dry cloth.
2. If it doesn't work with water, use isopropyl alcohol. If the latex splash does not come off with water, wipe it clean with rubbing alcohol.
   • Apply enough alcohol to a clean cloth so that it is damp, but not very wet.
   • Wipe the paint stain with the cloth to remove it. Rinse the cloth, moisten it again with alcohol and repeat if necessary.
   • Dry the area with a clean, dry cloth when you're done.
3. Remove fresh oil-based paint stains with mineral spirits. Oil-based paint cannot be removed with plain water, so you should remove it with a cloth and white spirit.
   • Dip a soft, clean cloth in a small bowl of turpentine. Do not dip the entire cloth in it, just a tip that you will use to clean the paint stain.
   • Clean the paint stain by rubbing it with the turpentine. Rinse and repeat if not all paint is gone.
   • Dry the area with a clean, dry cloth.
4. Remove dried paint with boiled linseed oil. Dried paint stains can be softened by soaking and buffing them with boiled linseed oil.
   • Soak a clean cloth in boiled linseed oil.
   • Hold the linseed oil rag pressed against the stain for about 30 to 60 seconds. Then the oil can absorb into the paint.
   • Wipe off the softened paint with your linseed oil cloth.
   • Dry the area with a clean, dry cloth.
5. Use a putty knife, if necessary, for stubborn dried-on paint stains. If you can't get the paint off even with boiled linseed oil, gently scrape the stain off with a putty knife.
6. Remove leftovers with a paste of linseed oil. You can remove leftover paint by rubbing it with a paste of linseed oil and pumice stone powder.
   • In a small disposable dish, mix enough cooked linseed oil with pumice powder to form a thick paste. Use a wooden stick that can be removed afterwards to stir the ingredients.
   • Spoon some of the paste onto a clean cloth and rub the paste into the wood with the grain.
   • Wipe it off with a clean, dry cloth.

Method 2 of 4: Remove paint with heat

1. Hold a paint burner close to the surface of the wood. Hold the burner 6 to 8 inches above the painted wood surface after you turn it on.
   • Use an electric paint burner or heat gun. A cutting torch also gives off enough heat, but there is a greater risk of the wood catching fire, so don't use it.
   • Wear protective gloves and goggles when working with a paint burner.
   • Do not let the paint burner touch the wood or hold it too close to it. Otherwise you will get scorch marks or fire.
2. Slowly move the paint burner over the surface. Run the paint torch over the surface where you want to get the paint off. Move it continuously from side to side and up and down, without stopping.
   • Do not let the paint burner rest in one spot for too long. Otherwise, you will scorch the wood and even cause a fire.
3. Scrape off the paint if it starts to wrinkle. Once the paint starts to wrinkle and bubble, immediately scrape it off with a wide paint scraper.
   • Continue to heat the paint with the paint torch in one hand while scraping the wrinkled paint off with the other. If you find it difficult to do both tasks at once, turn off the paint torch and scrape off the hot paint immediately.
4. Stay calm if it catches fire. Although it is possible for the paint to catch fire, it usually starts as a small flame that you can easily extinguish if you keep thinking slowly.
   • You can usually extinguish a small flame by putting the flat side of your paint scraper on it.
   • Keep a bucket of water nearby while you're at it. If a fire starts that you can't get out with your paint scraper, quickly pour some water over it.

Method 3 of 4: Forcefully remove paint

1. Protect yourself. Wear safety goggles and a dust mask to protect yourself from paint and sawdust while sanding, whatever method of sanding you use.
2. If possible, sand the paint off by hand. If you need to sand paint out of difficult nooks and crannies, or if it is a small, fragile wooden object, you will need to sand it by hand.
   • Sanders are too strong and can damage fragile objects. Moreover, you cannot get to hard-to-reach places with it.
   • Use coarse sandpaper, as other types get clogged too quickly with paint and sawdust.
   • Sand with the grain of the wood, instead of against it.
   • Continue with slightly finer sandpaper once the wood emerges through the paint.
   • If only a few small pieces of paint are still showing, move on to even finer sandpaper.
3. Get a sander for bigger jobs. For larger pieces of wood such as furniture, wooden cabinets or woodwork, you are better off getting a sander to save time.
   • Choose between a palm sander and an orbital sander. A palm sander is a bit smaller and is a good option if you want to keep more of the underlying wood. An orbital sander works faster, making it especially suitable for large projects.
   • The attachment of the sandpaper to an orbital sander differs per model. Sometimes it is held in place by two clips. The advantage of this system is that you are not bound by the (often more expensive) brand of sandpaper. You can cut it to size yourself from a sheet of standard sandpaper. With other types, the sandpaper is attached to the sanding pad with Velcro. This makes it very easy to change and it stays in place. Sandpaper with Velcro is more expensive.
   • Use coarse sandpaper with the sander, because fine sandpaper gets clogged too quickly with paint and sawdust.
   • Always sand with the grain to minimize damage to the wood.
   • Continue with fine sandpaper when most of the paint has come off and only a few spots are visible.

Method 4 of 4: Remove paint with chemical paint stripper

1. Choose the right stripper. Find a paint stripper that is suitable for the type of wood you want to remove the paint from. You also have to choose between a liquid and a paste.
   • Liquid chemicals usually need to be sprayed on and are often used to clean the top coat or several coats of paint.
   • Paste is spread on the paint to remove several layers of paint. If you need to remove 10 layers or more, go for a paste.
   • Read the instructions carefully before using it. While the procedure is the same for most paint strippers, the precise details may vary. Always follow the instructions that come with the paint stripper.
2. Pour a small amount of paint remover into a wide metal container. If you put a little bit at a time in a container it will be easier to use.
   • If possible, use a container with a lid.
3. Spread the paint remover on it with a paintbrush. Use a wide, flat brush to spread the medium thickly and evenly onto the paint.
   • Spread the paint stripper on it in one direction.
   • Do not go over parts that already have paint stripper on it.
4. Or spray the paint remover on it. If you are using a liquid paint remover, keep the sprayer about 10cm from the wood and spray it on in an even, thick coat.
   • The agent will form a sticky, foamy layer.
5. Let it soak in according to the instructions. Typically, you will need to let paint stripper sit for 20 to 30 minutes, but the exact times may vary.
   • Keep room windows and doors open to prevent potentially harmful fumes from building up while the product is absorbed.
6. Try to remove a piece of paint. Run the paint scraper across the surface in circular motions. If the scraper cuts into the paint, the agent has worked enough.
   • Make sure the scraper you are using can withstand the paint stripper.
7. Scrape off the paint with a metal paint scraper. Put the scraper under the paint so you can remove the loosened layers.
   • Remove as much paint as possible with as few strokes as possible.
   • Work in one direction.
8. Touch up the surface with wetted steel wool. If some paint remains, soak a piece of steel wool in a little bit of paint remover and scrub the stains until they are gone.
   • An old rag or scouring pad will also work.

Necessities

• Clean cloths
• Water
• Cleaning alcohol
• Turpentine
• Linseed oil
• Pumice stone powder
• Paint burner
• Wide paint scraper
• Safety glasses
• Dust mask
• Work gloves
• Sandpaper
• Sander
• Stripper