August 26th, 2021 by Sarah Miles

Home renovating has never been as popular with more of us having a go at projects ourselves rather than getting someone in than ever before. Hobbies such as upcycling furniture have also grown. Doing DIY jobs around the home can be really satisfying and most are actually easier than you might think.

You may want to strip paint from wood for a number of home décor or renovation reasons but be wondering which is the best way to do it. There are 3 main ways to go about this, each with its own benefits and drawbacks but all very doable by beginner DIYers.

Here is our overview of the best ways to strip paint from wood:

1. Chemical Stripper

What is it?

Chemical stripping is just as the name suggests; using chemicals to dissolve the paint, allowing you to scrape it off.

How do you do it?

Apply the product to the surface of the wood and leave it for a period to get to work. This will depend on the product used. Some can work in as little as 3 hours, and some take longer, even up to 24 hours. Remember that the quicker it works, the stronger the chemical is likely to be. Once it has softened the paint you can remove it with a scraper or wire wool.

The advantages

Chemical stripping is good for intricate areas, such as carving or decorative features, where it’s difficult to get into by other methods like sanding. It also tends to be quite kind on the wood underneath with less possibility of damaging it by accident.

The disadvantages

Any chemical that can dissolve paint is going to be quite harsh and toxic, so you need to use it with care. Ventilate the room well and wear gloves and a mask while using it. Make sure you keep children and animals away from the area. It can also take quite a long time as it has to be done in stages while you wait for the chemical to take effect.

2. Hot Air Heat Gun

What is it?

A hot air heat gun is an electric tool that generates heat for use on a number of DIY (and even craft) tasks. You apply heat to the paint to soften it and cause it to bubble up so that it can be removed much more easily.

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How do you do it?

Simply move the heat gun over the surface of the wood in a steady, even manner. You’ll want to scrape the paint off while it’s warm and soft so it’s easiest to do it in sections at a time.

The advantages

A heat gun is very efficient as you can move quickly, and you don’t have to wait for anything and come back to it. It also doesn’t have the noxious fumes (or harsh smell) associated with chemicals and it makes the paint very easy to remove. It’s also quick and easy to use, with minimal prep required.

The disadvantages

You just need to be careful not to scorch the wood by using too high a heat or lingering too long on a particular area. Just move evenly over the surface and use an appropriate heat setting.

3. Sanding

What is it?

Sanding is literally rubbing the paint off using abrasion, which can be by hand with sandpaper or by using an electric sander. Hand sanding is only recommended for small areas as it’s quite labour intensive and would take a long time to cover a large area.

How do you do it?

Rub evenly over the surface of the wood until you can see the natural wood emerge through the paint.

The advantages

Hand sanding can be good if you’re not comfortable using power tools (though both sanders and heat guns are actually very user friendly). A sander will apply pressure evenly over the surface and you don’t have to worry about the potential dangers of chemicals or heat.

The disadvantages

This method is probably the hardest work of the 3 and it creates a lot of fine dust so be careful to wear a mask, so you don’t breathe it in. You will also need to cover the space with sheets to protect them from all the mess. It is possible to over-sand, especially doing it by hand, which is not as even, and this could leave marks on the wood.