~I Love a Good Stripper~
I love a good stripper…..
I am often asked the question, what do you use to strip furniture? So, I thought I would post a short “how to” for those of you that want to do some stripping.
I have used many different types of strippers. The one I have found that works best for my needs is Kutzit specifically for Antiques and Fine Furniture. It comes in liquid form but really grasps the paint like a gel. I have stripped many pieces through the years and found that if you find the right stripper it can really do a lot of the work for you. You must be in a well ventilated area, wear gloves and a mask. Also make sure you have a putty knife or some sort of scraper and a bucket for all the goo. This is a messy job and takes lots of time so be prepared to wait. It can be tempting to start scraping as soon as the old paint starts to bubble but be sure wait the recommended amout of time (found on the can) or you’ll waste lots of stripper reapplying.
When you’re done stripping you’ll need to use some paint thinner or mineral spirits to remove the rest of the goo. Then, when the wood is COMPLETELY dry use 60-80 grit sandpaper, then 120-220 grit, depending on the amount of left over paint, to smooth the surface and get ready for paint. WAIT until the wood is completely dry before you sand it!!!!! (Remember when you sand to ALWAYS, ALWAYS sand with the grain of the wood or you will scratch it and make a giant mess.)
Finally, don’t get excited after you read this, run out to your local home improvement store and try these tips out on that heirloom piece handed down to you from your great-grandmother. I have done lots of pieces and before that watched my dad strip many pieces of furniture. Go to your local thrift store or find something to play on until you get a good feel for the process. As with all things, the more you do the better you get. Practice LOTS of practice makes perfect.
(DISCLAIMER~this along with everything else on this page is my opinion. There are LOTS of ways to do this. The more you do it the better you get and the more tricks you’ll learn.)
As you can see, I’m reading your blog. 🙂
I do hope by this time you’ve discovered the joy of Citristrip or Soygel. No “tricks.” No space suit, no flesh-eating chemicals, no stench, and you can work inside.
For antiques or detail work it’s FANTASTIC because it bubbles the paint off in ribbons. Leave it for hours (I go to work or bed) and it’ll eat through (so far) as many as 6 different layers of paint and into the varnish. A 2nd coat will suck the stain right out of the wood. Looks like your slushing off BBQ sauce, and taking a scrubbie and water to wash everything off? You’re right down to gorgeous bare wood. Anything left, I use an eyeglass repair screwdriver to pick out softened pieces of paint or left over stripper.
The one, single draw back is developing patience. Just don’t fuss with it! I also let my stuff dry overnight, because being liquid, it can soften wood and overzealous scraping can damage it. When it’s dry, I use 120 sandpaper simply to brush the dust off, not to sand.
If I get reconstitued stain or stuff on me, I rub the stripper on like lotion, wait a few, then wash my hands. It doesn’t eat plastic or take the color out of your clothes.
You don’t have to work with evil stuff. This makes stripping almost fun. Hmmm… that didn’t sound right, did it? Anyway, give it a try. I love it so much I’d do ads for them for free.
Thanks, I’ve never heard of Soygel. I have used Citristrip and it just didn’t work as well as Kutzit or Klean Strip. Maybe I should give it a try again?
🙂 Beth
I was reading again and remembered your great tutorial. I have to read through the new stuff because I’m interested in whether or not you gave up the flesh-eating chemicals and dire warnings for something more enjoyable?
At this very moment I have an antique door “marinating” in Citristrip in my living room. I’m going to work, and when I return in 8 hours I’ll slough the goo off into a plastic grocery bag and throw it away in the kitchen garbage. Water and a plastic scrubbie will neutralize my piece. None of that hemoglobin killing vapors in my house!
Beth, if you try or have tried the Citristrip (You’re too smart and talented to waste days on that old crap) I hope you noticed you don’t need steel wool, intense scraping, nor a wire brush, all of which will gouge the softened wood.
Well, I’m off to read more of your blog. I enjoy your projects.