The process starts by removing the protective polyurethane, lacquer, or varnish coating from the wood.
Once the coating is gone, bleach out and sand away the wood stain.
Your wood refinishing project will yield great results in a few simple steps.
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Wear proper safety equipment, such as protective gloves and a respirator.
When working with liquid products, wear safety glasses.
Apply Stripping Gel
Apply thestripping gelto the wood surface following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Rather than coat the entire piece, work on designated sections at a time.
Cover the Gel
Cover the gel-coated wood with kitchen plastic wrap.
While not a mandatory step, plastic prevents the gel from drying out, allowing a longer working time.
Allow the stripping gel to sit for 30 minutes to 24 hours, depending on the product’s directions.
Scrape the material directly into a trash bag.
Avoid using wood or two-part bleaches, as these will alter the wood’s natural color.
Standard chlorine bleach will remove dyes and pigments from the wood, leaving the wood’s natural hue intact.
Never add white vinegar to a surface that is wet with bleach or mix the two in a solution.
The combination of white vinegar and bleach if wet can react to createtoxic gases.
These are time-consuming and laborious projects that often require additional workers.
Hire a professional for larger projects to finish faster and with consistent results.
Acetone is a highly flammable solvent that may strip wood unevenly.
When using acetone, wood needs to be sanded to thoroughly remove wood stain.
An Ultimate Guide to the Safest Way to Strip Paint.Paint & Coatings Industry Magazine.
