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Not long ago, using strippers to remove paint, varnish,
and other old finishes was a really nasty, smelly
business. Today, there are many brands of strippers that
have low odors, clean up with water, and generally are
safer to work with than in days gone by. You can get
liquid or paste strippers and solvents that work to
soften and loosen most any old finish – a real boon
if you're working with complex shapes such as moldings.
When all traces of the stripper have been removed, the
surfaces are ready to be lightly sanded and refinished. |
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 Pour a small
amount of the stripper into a convenient glass or metal
container and apply it as specified on the label. It's
best to start at the top of your project and work your way
down. Take the time to work it into hard-to-reach places. |
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 Sprinkle a
light coating of sawdust over the stripper just before you
remove it. The sawdust thickens the stripper, making it
easier to remove. |
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 Reapply the
stripper to detailed or problem areas and use specialty
scrapers to remove the softened material. Use light
pressure on the scrapers to keep from tearing or gouging
the wood. If you can't find a contoured scraper, use the
corner of a putty knife. |
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 Scrub the
entire project with nylon brushes or abrasive pads to
remove all traces of the old finish and the stripper
sludge. |
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RELATED PROJECTS
Exterior Painting Techniques
Painting Exterior Windows
Painting Soffits and Fascia
Painting Jambs, Casings, and Trim
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