what is the best way to take paint off. to get back to wood finish?

Answer 1

I have been taking paint off of old wooden trim in our house. If you have a lot of layers you may consider using a heat gun first to take off the top most layers. After that these are the steps I follow:

-Brush on a gel paint stripper. Make sure that it is for wood and that you have the appropriate type of brush.
-Using a scraper, I prefer a metal scraper, to take off the paint that has bubbled up after 10-15 minutes. I take an old coffee tin and scrape the removed paint and gel into it. It works well and holds quite a bit. Just make sure it is not plastic.
-For small or decorative woodwork I use a set of hobby picks. They look a lot like something you might see at the dentist. And they come with different angles on the head.These are great for getting into small dents and cracks.
-Wipe off excess gel with a damp rag. Don't have a ton of excess water, this could cause the grain of the wood to really pop out.
-If you still have some places with some stubborn paint or stain, I take some medium steel wool and place a bit of stripping gel on it. Use this to rub off what paint or stain is left.
-Again use a damp rag to wipe off.
-Sand and finish however you wish!

Answer 2

Go to a paint store or paint section of a home improvement store and get some paint stripper. You'll also want to pick up those heavy rubber gauntlet gloves (long ones that come half way up your forearm), because the stripper is very caustic and will burn you like acid if it touches your skin. Also wear long sleeves and keep a wet rag handy. If any of the stuff splashes onto your skin - even a tiny drop - it burns like a wasp sting until you wipe it off.

To apply the stripper, use an old paint brush - or get the cheapest one they sell at the store - and apply the stripper like thick paint (it has the consistency of a gel). Let it sit for about 10 minutes and you can actually watch the paint blister and pull up away from the wood. Use a plastic scraper to remove the stripper and paint. Then go over it with a wet washcloth - still wearing the gloves - to remove the rest of the paint/stripper goo. Don't let the stripper dry on the paint, though, or it's hard to remove.

This stripper is good for any finish: paint, old varnish, anything. You might have to dig into crevices and corners to get it all off. But, once you do and the wood dries (wet from using the washcloth), you can sand it and finish it like bare wood.

Answer 3

There are four methods. all are messy. 1. You can use a chemical paint remover. Be sure to read the directions carefully. 2. you can use a heat gun. Be careful of a fire hazard. 3. you can sand it off. Very dusty. 4. You can buy a paint scraper at a hardware store. This in not recommended for interior wood because it tends to scratch the wood.

Have fun

Answer 4

My best guess would be a chemical paint stripper. Just make sure the chemical is safe for wood, if it says "for removing paint from wood" or anything like that, its all good.
If you have pets or children, i recommend keeping them away from where the stripping is taking place, the chemicals ARE dangerous to inhale for extended periods of time.

Answer 5

I would use Bix spray on stripper from Sherwin Williams. But if you are gong to use a heat gun test the paint with a lighter to see if it bubbles, if it does it is oil base and will come off with the gun. If it starts turning black and doesnt bubble it is latex and you need to go with the stripper so that you dont take a chance in burning your wood. good luck:)

Answer 6

Paint it terrible to strip, especially if it has more than one layer. They have good paint strippers online. You don't want to do it the old fashioned way.

Answer 7

Herer is a simple way !Take a sharpen edged piece of plane(clear float) glass.Using shrap edge of glass scrap directly on wood. Rub gently &uniformly by 45 degree angle.In granes use corners of glass.Here in 'Hindustan' we use this idea. You must take care beacuse glass edeges may harm your hand.It is cheap & very useful.

Answer 8

Stripper.