Most models have high and low settings, but burns and fires can result even on the lowest setting if you let the gun rest in one place for too long. Some simple tools can help you remove paint from wood rails and other intricate details. Our start-to-finish guide will help you decide what approach you can take to remove paint from wood. Tom demonstrates how to build an Adirondack chair by using a template and a project plan. Wet-sand stripped surfaces to minimize dust. The homeowner makes kitchen design choices. If the paint is especially stubborn, you may need to use some Odorless Mineral Spirits to remove it (this may be necessary for an oil-based paint). If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. … Alternatively, you can remove old paint from wood by holding a heat gun 6 to 8 inches above the painted surface, moving it … For more stubborn or deeper stains, scrub the soapsuds in with a soft brush. Gear for handling fumes, paint chips, and caustic solvents. But this paint stripper is also dangerous. The Easiest Way to Remove Paint from your Old Wood Furniture He recommends finding a hidden spot, such as inside a drawer or closet, and using a scraper to shave a test patch through the various paint layers. Heaters use high temperatures to soften varnishes or multiple layers of paint so that the gunk can easily be removed with a scraper. Use 6-mil plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal off the workspace from the rest of the house. Nearly 90 percent of homes built before 1940 have some paint laden with this toxic metal. Tip: DCM is The Paint Solvent Best Left Alone. When painting a woodworking project, cabinets, or wood trim, paint drips are a common problem, and they can be especially frustrating when they dry before you notice them. In that case, you have a couple of options. Sanding is best kept for small projects unless you want to hire an industrial sander to remove paint and varnish from your floor. They work quickly; a 30-second blast can soften decades of paint. Downsides: Fumes and the risk of charred wood. Pro2ProTip: “Keep a hand file nearby to quickly restore the edge of a steel scraper,” says TOH general contractor Tom Silva. To make the cleaning solution, put on protective gloves and mix one scoop of a commercial powdered oxygenated bleach with 1 cup of warm water. There are three ways of removing paint from wood: sanding, using a hot air gun and chemical paint strippers. Tip: If there’s dried paint in-between floorboards or other small cracks, use soap-and-water or solvent on a pointy-ended cotton swab—”the kind they sell for makeup,” says MacMillan—or an … Europe banned it for residential use in 2010. Use only heat or chemicals to avoid kicking up lead-laced chips and dust. plastic scraper. They're ideal for fine details, awkward shapes, and hitting spots you may have missed with a heat gun. However, with a bit of elbow grease, and a few simple home remedies and techniques, it’s relatively easy to remove oil from wooden surfaces and furniture. "If you're hoping to expose woodwork and finish it with a clear coat instead of paint, you need to determine whether it was originally varnished or painted," says painting contractor and TOH contributor Rich O'Neil. To use sandpaper or a power sander to remove paint: Thoroughly clean the painted surface with degreasing cleaner, dish soap or household cleaner and allow to dry. When using push scrapers, choose plastic over metal, to avoid gouging; this is especially important with chemical strippers, which can soften wood. If using chemicals, mask hinges and other hardware you can't remove with solvent-resistant painter's tape, like ScotchBlue. Peel Away1: This paste works with a paper cover to control evaporation. It is still finished nice, but when the previous owner had repainted the walls, they dripped paint on most of the wood trim. Wear disposable coveralls or old pants and a long-sleeve shirt to protect your skin. Put on clear wraparound safety glasses to guard against splashes, dust, and flying debris. No paint-stripping endeavor is complete without an arsenal of scrapers to usher away softened paint. Denatured alcohol, a clean rag, and a lot of patience can remove latex paint without damaging wood. Having closely consulted the manufacturer’s instructions, pour your ch… When the paint bubbles, slowly move the heater along and try to develop a rhythm so that you’re scraping and heating in unison. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our experts–straight to your inbox. To remove dried paint from wood, use a piece of open-coat sandpaper to sand the paint away, taking care to sand with the grain to minimize damage to the wood surface. When all of the paint is removed, wipe down the surface with paper towels to remove residue. Prolonged exposure to DCM, through the lungs or skin, has been linked to liver damage, cancer, and even death. Ever needed to remove grease or oil from wood? {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Remove-Oil-from-Wood-Step-01.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Oil-from-Wood-Step-01.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5a\/Remove-Oil-from-Wood-Step-01.jpg\/aid10110669-v4-728px-Remove-Oil-from-Wood-Step-01.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"