3 best ways to remove old paint from wood

They decided to update the old door, or is the color of the fence tired? Or maybe it's time to restore the old grandmother's chest? If you do not know how to remove old paint from a tree, putting a new layer will be problematic. But you are lucky: we know how to remove even a thick layer of old paint as efficiently as possible, and we are ready to share several effective ways with you.

Mechanical way

One of the first thoughts that arises when looking at a layer of paint that needs to be removed: "Yes, it will be easiest to clean it!" And now the hands are already reaching for a grinder or drill with grinding nozzles. We recommend not to rush and analyze the situation, because mechanical removal is not only ineffective, but is not suitable for all products.

• Can the product be taken outside? There will be an incredible amount of dust and flying off pieces of the coating, and if you start to remove paint in the room, then you will have to start a thorough cleaning. Plus you will have to work in a respirator and glasses, which is also not very convenient.
• Is the paint thick on the product? Previous generations did not stand on ceremony with oil paint: tired of color - just block the old layer with a new one. It turns out that some Soviet doors accumulated a layer cake of 4-5 layers of oil paint, each of which is much thicker than the layer of acrylic paint that we use now. With the mechanical removal of such a layer, you will score more than one skin, and not having achieved the desired result, and this is not only insulting, but also quite expensive.
• Is the product stationary? To remove the varnish from the legs of the chair with a grinder is a good idea, but to clean the window frame or baseboards in this way, which you are not going to knock off the wall, is not very good - because of the risk of the grinding disc to touch the wall or window.
• Is the surface flat? If the product has cavities or protrusions, then the mechanical method will not be the best choice for removing paint, since it will still remain in the joints and indentations.

It turns out that paint can be removed by grinding if its layer is not thick and the surface is even, otherwise the efforts spent on removing the coating will not be worth the result that you get.

Tip

Sometimes, for thin layers, it is enough to rub the coating with a brush for metal and sand it with sandpaper with a medium abrasive. If the surface area is small, then this is the best way to remove paint without special tools and substances.

Chemical way

Quite quickly and easily, chemical washes, which are sold in construction stores, will help remove the old paint layer. Of course, they do not wash off the paint only, but rather soften it, so you still have to work with a spatula. Typically, such a tool is applied to the product with a brush or roller, left depending on the type of tool and instructions - usually for 20-40 minutes, and then the softened layer is podded and scraped off with a spatula. If the first time it was possible to get rid of only part of the paint, then the procedure is repeated, but the smallest residues can be cleaned with sandpaper.

It is important when buying a similar wash, check with the seller or make sure that it is suitable for your type of material and paint. You can save yourself the search for a special wash for your type of paint by purchasing a universal tool. Also, think in advance about whether you can leave the room for the duration of the wash and then ventilate it well or take the product outside.If yes, then you can take a conventional solvent-based paint remover, if not, then it is better to give preference to more modern, odorless gel polishes. Just the absence of smell does not mean that they are not toxic: with any washing you must work with gloves on, and the room must be ventilated.

According to the experience of builders, it is possible to say that cheap Russian-made washes do poorly with old oil paint if it is applied in several layers. With more expensive foreign counterparts, such a problem does not arise.

if you have caustic soda, then you don’t have to spend money on special washes: add a little water to it, dissolve soda, and then mix with ground oatmeal to obtain a paste. Put the paste on the product, wait about an hour until bubbles form, remove the paint with a spatula, and then degrease the surface. Gloves and airing are relevant for this method.

Tip

Do not use plastic containers and tools when working with a wash, as they may deteriorate from exposure to chemicals. Also, do not use washes if close to a wooden product is a plastic one.

Thermal method

The latter method is considered preferable for cleaning wood paint, since with it it can be done quickly, easily, inexpensively and without harm to the product itself. It consists in heating the paint to a temperature at which it begins to cure and produce gas. This will cause it to bubble, and it will be easy for you to clean off the old layer by tucking these bubbles with a spatula. But how is it better to do this?

Heating with an open flame, such as a burner, is not only dangerous, but will have a dubious result. Yes, the paint will begin to bubble, but the fire can cause the wood to dry out, burnt places on the product, or poor-quality subsequent painting due to resins released during the burner treatment.

It is better to use a hairdryer, but not a domestic one, but a construction one. Its heating is hundreds of times stronger, and the paint begins to lag behind the tree literally before our eyes: just have time to pry it with a spatula. Of course, it is scary for an inexperienced person to work with such a hairdryer: if you accidentally direct a stream of hot air at yourself, the case will end 100% in the hospital. But subject to all safety measures, this method beats everyone else! If you have someone ready to lend you a building hair dryer for a day.

Tip

Strong heating, as well as chemical treatment, is not allowed if the product has plastic parts that cannot be removed. Also, do not heat the wall with a hairdryer in the areas where the wiring takes place, as this can lead to its damage.

Or maybe not remove the old layer at all?

Yes, it is often necessary to remove the old paint layer, especially when the paint started cracking and moving away, or when the surface became very uneven and bumpy due to its multi-layer structure. But you can not get involved in the long and complicated process of removing paint, choosing a coating with a new layer on top of the old.

The surface will have to be prepared: the oil paint needs to be sanded, removing the tubercles, then washed with an alkaline solution, such as soap, primed with alkyd or synthetic primer, and then applied a new layer. If after grinding the surface has not leveled, the product can be putty before priming.

Tip

If you want to get a translucent effect with a translucent wood texture, you will have to remove the paint, even if painting with a new layer on top of it is quite possible.

In removing paint from the tree, you will need some skill, but, once you understand the issue once, you can easily repeat the procedure if necessary. How exactly you will remove the coating is up to you, but, you must agree, now you have plenty to choose from.