Removing Paint from Furniture: 4 Useful Tricks

Whether you're dealing with stains or adding a new coat of paint, you're probably going to have to learn about removing paint from furniture. In this article, we'll show you a few effective techniques.

Dealing with paint stains on any surface can be tricky. Whether it’s clothing, the floor, or on furniture, these stains can be tough to remove. In this article, we’ll take a look at some techniques for removing paint from furniture.

The first thing that pops into our heads when we think of paint stains is children. Their love of crafts and their tendency to make a mess can leave seemingly permanent stains on furniture.

However, adults are also sometimes responsible. When we paint something, like a decoration or picture frame, we might splash a bit of paint around. And let’s not even get into painting walls, even if we cover the furniture with plastic.

At the end of the day, the important thing is to act quickly to eliminate the stain, not assign blame. To this end, these useful tricks for removing paint from furniture will help solve the problem.

Removing paint from furniture

In this article, we’ll not only look at stains, but also consider the possibility that you want to remove paint in order to give a piece of furniture a new look or to restore it. If this is the case, we’ll offer a few options.

If you find yourself dealing with this inconvenience and don’t know where to begin, keep reading for some effective solutions. Follow these tips and get rid of the paint stains in your home.

Before you get started

To remove paint from furniture, you need to ensure two things. First, the furniture must be totally dry. Use a cloth or a hair dryer to ensure that this is the case.

Meanwhile, try to use gloves to avoid blisters or splinters. When it comes to these kinds of jobs, safety is an important consideration.

A cloth with turpentine

A key factor in these situations is to act quickly after wood is stained with paint. Use a cloth with a solvent like turpentine, and rub it over the stain. After removing the stain, you can use a brightening product to attain a better finish.

In addition to the turpentine, it’s also worth mentioning that acetone can help you do the job. Use it the same way you would with turpentine, and remove the stain before it dries completely.

If the stain has already dried, you can use a spatula to remove the stain after applying the solvent. However, it’s likely that this will leave scratch marks on the surface.

For removing all the paint

1. Sanding

Whether you do it manually with sandpaper or with an electric device, this is a foolproof method for removing paint from furniture. First, rub the furniture with the coarse-grit sandpaper to remove the paint, then use fine-grit sandpaper to remove any remains on the wooden surface.

If you do it by hand, be sure not to apply too much force. If you’re using an electric device, you should sand it in keeping with the grain of the wood. Otherwise, you’ll leave scratches.

The final step before you can start repainting is to remove any remains with a cloth moistened with solvent. Similarly, it can also be useful to use a broom or a brush in order to get rid of any remaining paint.

2. Heat gun

This method is very effective, but also dangerous. It involves holding a heat gun about 20 centimeters from the wood in order to soften the paint. After it softens, it must be removed immediately with a spatula.

There are two important safety considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, this appliance reaches very high temperatures, so use adequate protection. Secondly, be careful with any sparks that may be created. You wouldn’t want to burn your furniture.

3. Paint strippers

These are chemical products that react with the paint upon contact. You can find them at any hardware store. Be careful: they’re all toxic.

To apply them, simply place them over the paint and let them go to work. When the paint is bubbling and peeling off the wood, remove it with a spatula. Repeat the process as many times as necessary. Finally, clean the surface with a cloth moistened with turpentine to remove any remains.

By using these tricks, you’ll have a piece of furniture that’s ready to be repainted. You only need the right products and tools for removing paint from your furniture. By using them properly, you can eliminate stains, or even change the look of the piece completely.