Memories of the shiny wood walls in my childhood home make me nostalgic, but unlike memories, wood finishes fade with time and use. You can’t turn back time, but you can restore wood’s luster by first stripping the old, dull finish with a wood paint stripper.
Stripping wood stain is much easier than I imagined. Just remove any hardware from the wood, apply the paint stripper, wait for it to soften the finish, then gently scrape away the stain. Finally, apply a neutralizer and sand the wood.
“Stain removal is generally quicker than paint removal,” says Billy Sovine of Sovine Trading Company, a handyman service in Prattville, Ala. “A DIYer can expect to spend approximately 30 minutes to two hours per square foot, depending upon the stain type.”
| Time Required | 30 minutes to 3 hours |
| Skill Level | Beginning |
What You’ll Need for Stripping Wood Stain
| Items | Estimated Cost | |
| Chemical-resistant gloves | $8 to $12 | |
| Safety goggles | $5 to $30 | |
| Respirator or dust mask | $8 to $60 | |
| 6 mil plastic sheeting | $10 to $30 | |
| Stain stripper, gel or liquid | $20 to $80 | |
| Old or disposable paint brush | $0 to $5 for a pack | |
| Putty knife or paint scraper | $2 to $46 | |
| Medium- and fine-grit sandpaper | $10 to $20 for both | |
| #000 steel wool | $5 | |
| Whatever you need to neutralize the stripper (check the manual) | $0 to $20 | |
| Cloth | $4 for a 6-pack | |
| Total | $72 to $332 | |
Prep the Work Area and Surface
Gear up: Choose a well-ventilated area when stripping wood stain, if possible, and wear your respirator mask, rubber gloves, and goggles to avoid direct contact with the wood stain stripper. You should also wear protective clothing.
Protect your surroundings: Lay down 6 mil plastic sheeting to protect your workspace. This prevents any stripper or stain from damaging your floors or furniture.
Remove any hardware: Detach any hardware like hinges or handles from the wood to expose every part of the surface for even stripping. I don’t recommend working around the hardware. You want access to all areas of the wood for a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing result.
Clean the surface: Using a cloth, clean the wood surface with sudsy water and then dry it. In the case of oil stains and residue, you may use additional cleaning products.
“A damp cloth can suffice for loose debris, but mineral spirits or a wood cleaner are beneficial for removing oils or residue,” says Sovine. “Ensure the wood is completely dry before proceeding.”
Step 1: Apply the Stripper
Using a soft bristle paint brush, apply wood stain stripper evenly over the wood. The thickness of the application is key here: too thin, and it may not effectively soften the stain; too thick, and it could dry out before you can remove it.
Sovine advises that you especially need to be careful with your stripper application when painting softwoods like cedar, pine, and fir.
Step 2: Cover the Stripper (optional)
You don’t have to cover the wet surface with plastic, but I do. It prevents the stripper from drying out so it can work longer. This is particularly useful for stripping thick wood finishes.
You can use any plastic wrap for this. Simply lay it on the surface where you’ve put the paint stripper to keep it wet for longer.
Step 3: Wait
Wait for the gel or liquid to work. Usually, it takes up to 30 minutes, but it can take as long as a few hours depending on your product and the thickness of the stain.
Check your product’s instructions for the specific time you should wait. If any areas thin out, reapply a thicker layer in those spots.
Step 4: Scrape off the Stripper
Use a plastic putty knife or scraper to test the surface. If the stain comes off easily, it’s ready. Scrape gently and at a low angle to avoid gouging or scratching the wood. Stripper comes off some woods more easily than others.
According to Sovine, “Hardwoods like oak, maple, walnut are more challenging. Softwoods like pine, cedar, fir are easier.”
If any residue remains, rub the area with #000 steel wool. It’s important to move gently and with the grain to avoid scratching the wood.
Step 5: Neutralize
A neutralizer halts the action of active ingredients in your stripper and prepares the surface for a new layer of stain.
Use the paint stripper manufacturer’s recommended neutralizer – often water, mineral spirits, or a specific solution.
Step 6: Sand the Wood
Before you sand, allow the wood to dry for at least an hour. If you rush this step, you might end up sanding wet wood, which is often ineffective and even damaging. Take your time.
Sand with a fine-grit sandpaper of 150 to 180, followed by 220 grit. The finer sandpaper helps achieve a smooth, ready-to-finish surface. Avoid excessive sanding to prevent wood damage.
“Sanding smooths the surface, removes any remaining residue, and prepares the wood for refinishing,” Sovine says. But he cautions: “Sand after neutralizing the stripper residue, not before. Neutralization is crucial to prevent residue interference with the final finish.”
Step 7: Clean Up
Before you apply a new stain, make sure the surface is free of dirt and debris. Use sudsy water, then wait for it to dry.
Give Your Wood a Makeover
Refinishing wood gives it new life, but it’s not for everyone. Stripping wood stain can be messy and time-consuming. You may want to book a pro for larger jobs, although they generally charge $30 to $60 an hour.
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Main Image Credit: SKT Studio / Adobe Stock edited using Canva Pro
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