A DIY-er’s Guide on Refinishing Solid Wood Furniture

Refinishing old wooden furniture can be a creative and rewarding DIY project that provides you with high-quality pieces for your home. Whether you’re restoring a family heirloom or you’ve found a diamond in the rough, the following tips for refinishing wood furniture will help you in your next project. 

If you’re wondering what signs you should look for when deciding to refinish your furniture or if you should restore it at all, there are some initial considerations to look at. The first step should be to look at the unique piece and determine whether it’s worth undertaking a restoration project or not. Ask yourself some of the following questions:

Is the piece painted?

If a piece is painted, there’s usually a reason for it. Owners paint over pieces when they are trying to cover up dents, stains and other imperfections. You might be getting more than you bargained for with a painted wood piece. In some cases, you may be better off choosing a piece that only has varnish on it.

Was the piece built solidly?

Pieces from before the 1960s are generally built from solid wood. Any pieces after that aren’t usually made from solid wood and are instead made from laminates and particleboard. These materials are usually not worth refinishing. On the flip side, older wooden pieces from before 1850 can be quite valuable. If you aren’t sure of a piece’s value, consult an antique expert before starting a refinishing project.

Is it stable or will it need to be re-glued?

Test out the sturdiness of the piece. If it sways from side to side or if it’s uneven or coming apart anywhere, then it will need to be taken apart and re-glued (and held together with a clamp until the glue dries) to ensure it’s stable. Ask yourself if this is a step you’re willing to take. If so, can you do this yourself or will you have to hire an expert to do it? If you’re specifically wondering how to refinish wood dressers, pay attention to the drawers and whether they are holding together properly.

Based on your answers to these questions, you should be able to determine how much of your own sweat equity you’re willing to invest in a furniture restoration project. 

Wood Furniture Refinishing Supplies Checklist

Before getting started on your wooden furniture restoration or refinishing project, it’s important to get all of your supplies in order so you can complete your project more efficiently. Below is a helpful supplies checklist to follow when beginning your next wood furniture refinishing project:

• Dish soap, sponges and towels
• Paint stripper
• Power sander
• Sandpaper in multiple grits
• Paint scrapers (plastic or metal)
• Epoxy putty
• Wood sealant/Varnish/Polyurethane
• Wood stain or paint (be sure to pick the correct color)
• Drop cloths
• Wax coating product
• Eye protection
• Latex gloves
• Vacuum cleaner

Other supplies that may come in handy include:

• Paintbrushes
• Painter’s tape
• Plenty of clean rags and cloths
• A bucket for clean water
• Stir sticks
• Glue and clamps for repairing and reinforcing furniture if needed

Best Tips for Refinishing Furniture

If you’ve decided that you are going to move forward with refinishing your wood furniture, then there are a few guidelines to follow.

Below are six essential steps that address how to refinish wood furniture and how to strip finished wood:

Step 1: Clean the Piece

The most fundamental step of any furniture refinishing or renewing project is to give the piece in question a good and thorough clean. This is especially true if the piece has been in storage or has been kept outside for an extended time. Additionally, if you don’t know exactly where the piece came from, it’s likely covered in a layer of grime from dust and dirt buildup.

Many people think that using a heavy-duty cleaner will work more effectively on an especially dirty piece. However, the simplest and most effective way to clean the piece and protect it is to simply use a mixture of dish soap and warm water. Most trusted professionals suggest using Dawn or a similar brand of dish detergent to get the job done.

Scrub down the surface using gentle strokes with a soaped-up sponge. Once you’ve scrubbed the surface clean, rinse it off with fresh water using the wrung-out sponge. After the soap has been cleared away, pat the piece dry with a towel.

Step 2: Assess the Furniture’s Current State

Once you’ve cleaned the piece, you’ll have a better idea of the overall scale of the project. If you’re dealing with an especially old piece, you may find there are white rings, paint stains, dents, chips and cracks.

Take an overall assessment of the piece and determine what will need to be done to make these repairs. This will help you determine which supplies you’ll need such as scrapers, epoxy putty and wax filling compound.

Step 3: Remove Old Finish

If you’ve never done so, then you may be wondering how to strip the finish off of wood. There are two main ways to do this. The first way is to sand it off and the second way is to use a chemical stripper:

Sanding:

Caution if your furniture has a thin veneer sanding the finish is not a good option as you can sand right through it and cause difficulty to repair the damage. Also, keep in mind the dust that will be created will cause a lot of extra clean-up. Use coarse sandpaper, a sanding block or a power sander to strip the finish off until the surface is smooth. Once most of the finish is off, switch to medium grit sandpaper to further remove any shine. Finally, finish off with a fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out the wood until all finish is completely removed. 

Chemical Stripper:

Caution carefully research the product you want to use to make sure you are not exposing yourself to harmful chemicals. There are safer chemical stripping options available. Our recommended source for safer chemical stripping options is Max Strip. https://maxstrip.com/ Chemical stripping products are designed to effortlessly strip the finish off wood. Spread the stripper over the surface of the wood evenly using a paintbrush. Let the stripper sit for the amount of time recommended by the stripping product, when it's ready you can scrape it off. Continue to use a scraper or paint stripping pad for detailed areas until you’ve scraped all the finish off. Be sure to wipe down the wood (Max Strip only requires water while other products may require lacquer thinner) and remove any leftover residue, finish, or wax from the stripper.

Stripping with Max Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper

If you’ve never stripped the finish off of wood before, here are some tips you can follow to make the job safer and easier:

• Wear protective gear including eye goggles, and gloves.
• Read the chemical stripper product label before beginning and follow as directed (especially the amount of time to let the stripper sit on the surface of the wood).
• Use drop cloths or plastic underneath the furniture before sanding or using the chemical stripper.
• Apply chemical stripper using fast and even brushstrokes as the product will begin to evaporate.
• Use a brush to get into grooves.
• Reapply another coat of stripper over the top of any finish that doesn’t remove after 30 minutes of soaking.
• Let the piece air dry for 24 hours before moving on to the next step.
• Dispose of the leftover chemical products safely by first checking with your local waste disposal company. (Max Strip product can be disposed of safely in your household garbage)

Step 4: Apply a Coat of Sealant

After you’ve stripped the finish and let the piece fully dry, it’s time to move on to coating. If you’ve used a chemical stripping product, you may need to sand the furniture surface using 120 grit paper to ensure you’ve completely removed any residue.

An optional step is to fill in the grain of your wood furniture to your liking. If your furniture has a tight wood grain, then it won’t need grain filler. However, if your furniture has a more open grain such as with oak or mahogany woods, then you can apply a grain filler. You’ll need to choose the correct grain filling product depending on whether you want to emphasize or de-emphasize the grain and what the desired color will be in the end. Also, check whether the grain filling product should be applied before or after staining.

Finally, you’ll want to seal the wood to prepare it for staining. A sealant product protects the wood and creates a base for the stain to spread more evenly. Apply a thick coat of sealant and allow it to soak into the wood. Wipe off any excess using a clean rag. Once the sealant has dried, sand down the furniture surfaces again with fine-grit sandpaper.

Step 5: Stain or Paint the Wood

The next step after applying the sealant is to stain or paint your wood furniture piece. This is a personal decision, and there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer. When choosing between staining or painting your wood furniture piece consider the following:

• If the piece is antique, you may not want to paint over it so it can retain its authenticity.
• If you don’t like the existing color or grain of the wood, then you may prefer it to be painted a different color.
• If the piece will be used in a high-traffic area, it may be more resistant to damage with a stain and sealant than with paint.
• If the piece isn’t constructed from high-quality materials, then you may choose to paint it to make it look better.
• There are several options to choose from when it comes to stains. There are water-based, oil-based or gel stains. There are also products that are a two-in-one stain and finish. Be sure to follow the instructions on the product label before beginning the staining step. There are many colors to choose from so be sure to test the stain color on another piece of wood before applying it to your furniture.
• Paints also have multiple options to choose from. There are different paint finishes such as oil-based enamel or latex that will provide a durable coating. Follow the instructions on the product label before applying the coat of paint.

Step 6: Apply a Coat of Finish

The last step after staining or painting your wooden furniture piece is to apply a finish coat. There are different finish products to choose from. Your choice will depend on several factors including:

• The wood furniture look you desire
• The durability you need
• The type of wood your furniture is made from
• How the item will be used and how frequently
• Your own skill level

Because certain finishes are meant to be sprayed on, they require additional spray tools to get the job done. For beginners and hobbyists, it’s recommended to use finishes you can wipe or brush on.

Once you’ve selected the best finish product for your specific furniture piece, you can add a coat of paste wax to enhance its luster and further protect it from scratches.

Last-Minute Tips on Refinishing Wooden Furniture

Now that you have a better understanding of the process of deciding when to refinish wood furniture and how to do it, here are some helpful tips to consider along the way:

Use Full or Natural Light:

When staining or painting your wood furniture piece, be sure that you’re working in a fully lit space. This will help you to see any drips, runs or missed spots before it’s too late.

Keep Your Workspace Clean:

Throughout the whole furniture refinishing process, remember to keep your workspace as clean as possible. This includes vacuuming up dust after sanding. Dust particles can get trapped on the wood’s surface and get underneath the stains and topcoats. Once you’ve vacuumed the dust, wipe down the wood with a damp cloth before applying the finish.

Stir Products:

Never shake a container of stain or finish. Instead, gently stir the mixture to ensure all ingredients are properly dispersed and not settled at the bottom.

Test the Stain Color:

Don’t rely on what the samples tell you when deciding how the stain will look. Always test the stain first on a discrete area of your furniture before applying it all over. This will prevent any unwanted surprises when you begin to cover the more prominent areas.

Preserving Your Wood Furniture

Once you’ve completed your wood furniture refinishing or restoration project, it’s important to maintain and protect your piece as much as possible. This includes regularly dusting and cleaning your piece and preventing damage.

Thank you for reading. Be sure to subscribe to our blog! If you want to learn more about furniture refinishing or get some great removal project ideas, visit our website MAXstrip.com or check us out on YouTube The Max Strip Channel

EPA Abandons Protections from Dangerous Chemicals

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has formally announced the withdrawal of rules proposed in 2017 banning methylene chloride’s (MC) commercial paint stripping uses and n-Methylpyrrolidone’s (NMP) paint stripping uses.  EPA cites pending risk management processes for the chemicals under TSCA Section 6(a) to justify the withdrawal.

Every single day, workers and communities are exposed to and harmed by these dangerous chemicals.  Dozens of families have lost loved ones to the use of methylene chloride paint strippers on the job. EPA’s refusal to act in the wake of thousands of citizen comments, a mountain of scientific evidence, and hours of testimony in support of these protections is public health malpractice. 

Here are a few things you should know about these hazardous chemicals:

Methylene Chloride

Also known as dichloromethane or DCM, is a solvent used in a range of products. Methylene chloride has been linked to cancer, cognitive impairment, and asphyxiation. Many methylene chloride-based paint and coating removers are used in areas with limited ventilation such as bathrooms, allowing fumes to build up. Methylene chloride vapor is heavier than air, so it concentrates low to the ground, right around the level where people stripping surfaces are breathing. According to EPA, respiratory protection may not be enough to protect people from being exposed where levels of methylene chloride are high.

N-Methylpyrrolidone

Also known as NMP or 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, is a solvent used in a range of products. The average consumer is most likely to encounter it in paint strippers, even though safer alternatives exist. NMP has been closely linked to developmental impacts including miscarriages. EPA describes NMP as a developmental toxicant. 

Safe Alternatives

Truly safe stripping alternatives are available. One of the safest stripping chemical substitutes in removal products today proving to be very effective in performance is dibasic esters (DBE). Some of their key  characteristics are non-flammable, low VOC, readily biodegradable, non-corrosive, and have a mild fruity odor. One company that is utilizing these innovative chemicals with world patented technology is Max Strip®. Stripping formulas by Max Strip® are gentle on the skin with no harsh fumes. Max Strip®’s advanced water-based technology surpasses competitors with professional performance and low environmental impact. For more information on how you can buy Max Strip® strippers and removers visit Maxstrip.com

The Safer Option For Paint Stripping This Season

                         

Even with retailers banning hazardous paint strippers from their stores like Methylene Chloride and     N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) in Canada, there are still a lot of chemicals out there in paint removal products that can cause harm to your health and the environment. Looking for safer options to strip paint and varnish for furniture refinishing and home improvements can seem a little daunting but there are safer options available.

SAFE ALTERNATIVE STRIPPING CHEMICALS

Dimethyl Esters (also known as Dibasic Esters, DBE, and DMEs*) are readily biodegradable, low odor, low VOC solvents. They have proven to be excellent solvent substitutes in many cleaning and stripping applications. Commercial acceptance and use of dimethyl esters and dibasic esters continue to increase due to their positive economic, environmental and performance characteristics. DBEs can be used to replace more conventional and increasingly regulated removal materials and industrial solvents. One company that has utilized these solvents in combination with innovative technology is Max Strip®. For more info on safer paint removal options that contain DBEs like Max Strip® visit MAXstrip.com 

With a preferable environmental, health and safety profile DBEs are considered a “greener” or environmentally friendly and safer product due to several safety and regulatory attributes, including:

Environmental 

Readily Biodegradable

Not included CERCLA/SARA hazardous substances list

Not considered a hazardous waste under RCRA 

Not included on the CWA list of hazardous substances

Used in EPA Safer Choice formulations

Health

Low VOC

Not considered a carcinogen or reproductive toxin

Low levels of toxicity

Low odor

Main components not subject to Proposition 65

Not skin absorbent

Safety

Non-Flammable

Non Corrosive

Non-Hazardous DOT

High Flash Point

High Boiling Point

Slowly Evaporation Rate

Different paint strippers contain different chemicals, and the potential hazards vary for each product. It's important to remember every product has specific safety precautions. Here are some general safety steps to keep in mind when using any paint stripper. 

If you use paint strippers frequently, it is particularly important that you follow these steps:

1. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety precautions on the label. Do not assume you already know how to use the product. The hazards may be different from one product to another, and the ingredients in individual products often change over time. The label tells you what actions you should take to reduce hazards and the first aid measures to use.

2. Wear chemical-resistant gloves appropriate to the type of stripper being used. Examples include gloves made with butyl rubber or neoprene. See the manufacturer's instructions or safety data sheet (SDS) on your product to determine the appropriate glove type. Also, ask your local store what type of gloves to choose for your product. Common kitchen latex gloves do not provide enough protection for most paint strippers. Replace gloves often to decrease dermal exposure risk.

3. Avoid getting the paint stripper on your skin or in your eyes. Wear protective clothing and goggles appropriate for the project and type of stripper.

4. Only use paint strippers outdoors, never indoors unless the stripper states it is safe to do so. If you must use them indoors, cross-ventilate by opening all doors and windows. Never use any paint stripper in a poorly ventilated area. Make sure there is fresh air movement throughout the room. Ventilate the area before, during, and after applying it and when stripping. 

5. Do not use flammable paint strippers near any source of sparks, flame, or high heat. Do not work near gas stoves, kerosene heaters, gas or electric water heaters, gas or electric clothes dryers, gas or electric furnaces, gas or electric space heaters, sanders, buffers, or other electric hand tools. Open flames, cigarettes, matches, lighters, pilot lights, or electric sparks can cause the chemicals in paint strippers to suddenly catch fire.

7. Only strip paint with chemicals that are marketed as paint strippers. Never use gasoline, lighter fluid, or kerosene to strip paint.

8. Dispose of paint strippers according to the instructions on the label. If you have any questions, ask your local environmental sanitation department about proper disposal. 

When it comes to paint stripping, knowledge is power. Always know exactly what you're working with from the removal product to the material you are stripping. Using some basic safety precautions that start at the time of purchasing the stripper and finish with the proper disposal of removed materials will ensure your safety and low environmental impact.

The Cold Is Coming: 5 DIY Home Improvement Get Ready Ideas

Investing in a new fall improvement project can be a great way to enhance the function of your home just in time for the flurries! Picking the right project is key to ensure the best preparation for winter. Here are 5 ways to get you ready for the cold and certainty that your home is fully prepared: 

Replacement Windows

When looking for a great way to prepare your home for this upcoming winter, one of the best remodeling projects you could start with is replacing your old windows with new ones! Old drafty windows are one of the leading causes of energy loss in a home. This can result in having to pay a great deal of money on energy bills in order to keep your home at a comfortable level for you and your family. When it really comes down to it, older windows weren't designed with the same level of energy efficiency in mind like they are today. If you’ve had older windows for some time, it’s likely they have developed cracks, warps, or just aren't sealed how they should be. TIP: Refinish window frames when replacing windows. Cracked paint build-up can reduce your window seal and make sealant cocking less effective. Refinishing projects can call for some harsh removal chemicals, but that’s not the case when using MAX Strip® products - the safer alternative. Visit Maxstrip.com for removal product recommendations.

New Doors

Much like windows, the doors of your home are also quite important when it comes to insulation in maintaining a comfortable living environment during the winter. If your doors are a bit on the older side, you may have noticed that damage has started to show, or feel a general draftiness around them. This fall is the perfect time to consider replacing them with an updated and more conducive door set to maintain a comfortable house setting. TIP: Refinishing your original door instead of a new set, will save you money! Visit Maxstrip.com for removal product recommendations.

Kitchen Improvements

Considering all the cooking that goes on during the holiday season, now is the time to make improvements to your kitchen! There are many ways you can go about updating the heart of the home. You can do minor things like replacing the hardware on your kitchen cabinets, or go big and refinish your wood surfaces. TIP: Refinishing projects can call for some harsh removal chemicals, but that’s not the case when using MAX Strip® products - the safer alternative. Visit Maxstrip.com for removal product recommendations.

Paint Your Home’s Interior

As the fall arrives; painting the sidewalks and streets with a whirl of golden leaves, you may feel inspired to pick up the brush yourself. If autumn has a hint of Jack Frost, interior projects are always preferable. Painting your home’s interior allows you to get creative, have fun and reinvent the look of your indoor living space. TIP: For best results with your painting project make sure to prep/prewash the surface for proper paint adhesion. Visit Maxstrip.com for surface prep product recommendations.

Winterize Your Deck

Autumn weather can go either way. If you’re enjoying an extended summer, you may feel inspired to get outdoors and complete some exterior renovations while you still can. To winterize your deck, first wash the wood with a power washer or surface prep product to remove dirt and grime. Then let the surface completely dry out before applying a fresh coat of protective sealant or stain. This will provide years of life to your deck and allow you to enjoy it once all that snow melts away. TIP: For best results choose a sunny day with no chance of precipitation to apply sealant or stain. Visit Maxstrip.com for surface prep product recommendations.

Whether it's your primary residence or an investment property, it pays to get some key tasks and renovations done in the fall before you settle in for the winter. Upgrading to energy-efficient windows and doors can reduce significant increases to your heating bill, make life more comfortable and increase your home’s curb appeal. Interior improvement projects can bring added value to your home and also increase the cozy feel you'll need to get ready for the chill of winter.

Pandemic Home Improvement Is Booming: What Are Your Neighbors Doing?

Online home remodeling platforms reported a 58% annual increase in project leads for home professionals in June. The money that folks have saved from not eating out or going on vacation is now being used to add value back into their homes as an investment. Sheltering at home influenced demand in a lot of home remodeling projects, as more than three-quarters of all U.S. homeowners said they had done some type of home improvement project during the pandemic. 

Kitchen and bath continue to be popular remodeling choices, but even those saw a 40% jump in demand in June compared to a year ago. With more and more people cooking and eating at home, kitchens are now, even more, the center of family life.  Home extensions and additions jumped 52%, and security and privacy also saw much greater demand with interest in fence installation and repairs up 166%. 

Major home renovations may not be in the spending range for everyone, but there are still some fall DIY projects that any homeowner can sink their teeth into! Here are a few budget-friendly DIY home improvement projects to consider:

Paint the Front Door

Hands down, the easiest exterior project is also the one that reaps the biggest rewards. A freshly painted front door will help your home stand out from the block, and can be finished in less than an afternoon. Fall is an ideal time to get your exterior paint job done; just choose your afternoon wisely. Normally, exterior painting should be done at a time when the temps are at least or above 50°F/10°C and aren’t dipping below the 40°F/5°C at night. This allows the paint to adhere properly and prevents it from freezing before it is fully dry. If you need to refinish first to ensure proper paint adhesion or want to change to stain we recommend using a safe stripper. Caution: Most paint stripping products are toxic. Only use products you are comfortable with using based on your level of expertise. For safe DIY wood/fiberglass/metal refinishing, we recommend using Max Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper

Clean & Cover the Grill

It’s time to break out the cleaners and steel-bristle brushes because your grill needs attention. Get rid of any remaining scraps of food or grease, turn off the gas, and cover the grill to protect it from weather and pests. Overwhelmed with grease? Cleaning your grill after a busy summer of BBQ delights can seem a little daunting but we have a solution that will transform your grill into the beauty it was when you bought it. Max Strip All Purpose Remover is the safer removal option for tough baked-on grease.

Repair & Treat Wood Furniture

Is your outdoor wood furniture starting to splinter, fading, or peeling paint? Then it’s time to get those repairs in before the snowfalls! If it is not properly treated for water damage prevention, the project will just be more work after the snow melts. For damaged water sealants or peeling paint, always strip off the damaged coating. This will ensure you are getting the proper coating adhesion to protect your wood from water, weather, pests, and wood rot. For safe DIY furniture refinishing, we recommend Max Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper

As the weather starts to cool down and we continue to stay home, take this perfect opportunity to clean up summer messes and prepare your home for colder days. Use this time to get these fall maintenance and renovation projects done before it’s too late!

For more information on safe removal products from Max Strip visit the website @ Maxstrip.com

  

Renovation Clean Up

Congratulations on your newly completed home renovation or home improvement project! Now, all that's left is the cleanup. For some projects, all you need is a good vacuum and some soap & water. For other projects, you may need something a lot stronger but that doesn't mean you need to put yourself at risk to complete your tough clean up task. For anyone who has ever done a big paint, refinish, or stain project you may notice the cleanup part to not be as easy as you would like. And most of the removers for your clean up turn out to be quite toxic and dangerous to use especially inside your home!

So what do you do? Use the safer option, Max Strip. Our strippers and removers were specifically designed for safe and easy use for everyone. No skin burns or toxic fumes, no environmental worries, and no additional products needed to finish the project. Unlike other strippers that require an additional neutralizer to complete, Max Strip products neutralize with just water. Instead of having to carefully dispose of your stripping waste at the local dump, you can put it right in your regular household garbage, without harming our environment. You will no longer have to throw away your rags and application tools from your clean up. With Max Strip products, you can just rinse them with water and re-use them. Rags can go in the regular wash and you can even use Max Strip to remove paint from your clothing. All Max Strip products are water-soluble and biodegradable so you don't have to worry about it going down the drain!  

Want to know if Max Strip will work for you? 

Visit the website @ MAXstrip.com and see what Max Strip can do for you!

Here are some before and after pics of Max Strip's clean up power in action.

Before Raw Wood Stairs
-paint splatter 
-glue drips
-grease residue
-dirt & grime

















After Treated with Max Strip

Max Strip can tackle a lot of tough clean up jobs after your home renovation or home improvement project use the Max Strip All Purpose Remover for spot treatments and Max Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper for treating larger surface areas. 

MAXstrip.com

Paint Stripping: Tips, Tricks, & Need To Knows

Removing or stripping paint from any type of surface is seldom an easy job. Every surface takes paint differently and every type of paint reacts differently to the surfaces. Add in environmental conditions and paint removal takes a bit of study and, usually, some elbow grease to accomplish.

Chemical Stripping

For years most professional painters and do-it-yourselfers have relied on chemical-based

paint strippers. While they can do a good job, many are also highly toxic to humans and the environment. Improper use of chemical strippers can cause damage to the respiratory system, brain, nervous system, and skin.

One of the worst offenders and potentially deadly chemicals in paint strippers is methylene chloride. Major home improvement stores have pulled products that contain the chemical from their shelves, but it is still readily available.

Before you tackle a paint removal job, take time to read the labels on commercial paint strippers. In addition to methylene chloride, active ingredients that are potentially dangerous to your health include toluene, methanol, ethanol, and acetone.

Manual Paint Removal

Skipping any type of paint stripper may seem like the most non-toxic method to remove paint.

Unfortunately, there are still some hazards from the paint itself, especially lead paint in older homes. If you choose to manually remove paint, always wear a mask, safety glasses, skin protective gear, and test the paint you want to remove for lead before proceeding.

1. Scrape Away the Paint

Using a plastic or metal paint scraper is effective in removing peeling paint, but must be used carefully to prevent damaging the surface under the paint.

2. Use a Heat Gun

A heat gun can be used to loosen paint to a point where it will eventually bubble making scraping easier.

3. Sand Away

Using an electric sander or manually removing paint with sandpaper takes patience and skill. Take care not to sand too deeply or the surfaces will be permanently marred.

Less Toxic Chemical Stripping Options

There are less-toxic paint removers on the market. If you choose to use a chemical-based stripper choose a gel or paste water based formula that is less volatile and toxic because it produces fewer fumes than a liquid formula. Read the instructions carefully and always wear protective gear including safety glasses, gloves, and a mask.

Our top recommendation for water based chemical strippers is removal products from Max Strip. Their low VOC formulas clean up with just water and provide an environmentally friendly paint and varnish removal option that is much more DIY user friendly. Visit their website today for detailed product and purchase info here MAXstrip.com