How to Remove Urethane & Acrylic Finishes From Wood

Urethane and acrylic finishes protect wood from absorbing too much water, from staining and from getting nicked and scratched. The finishes can get old over time and can begin to crack or turn yellow. Remove them when this happens so that you can apply a new finish. Choose a liquid wood stripper if you are removing a thin layer of urethane or acrylic finish. Use a thicker stripper if the finish is very thick or if you are removing many layers of finish.

Drop cloth
Gloves
Goggles
Wood stripper
Dust mask
Paintbrushes
Paint scraper
Steel wool
Toothbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Lay a drop cloth on the floor to protect it from the wood stripper.
- 2
  Put on gloves, goggles and a dust mask or ventilator to protect yourself from the caustic paint stripper.
- 3
  Dip a paintbrush into the wood stripper and brush a thick layer over the wood. Cover corners and small details in the wood with a lot of stripper as these areas can be tough to remove acrylic and urethane finishes from. Use a smaller brush to work the stripper into small areas. Let the wood stripper sit until the paint begins to peel and bubble from the wood surface.
- 4
  Scrape the urethane or acrylic finish from the wood with a paint scraper. Use a piece of steel wool to remove it from detailed areas. Use an old toothbrush to work it out of crevices.
- 5
  Apply more wood stripper if the finish is still attached to the wood. Let it sit and scrape and brush the wood until it is completely clean.
- 6
  Rinse the wood with clear water and dry it completely.

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