How to Remove Resin Coating From Wood

Wood is sensitive to water. If too much water gets into its pores, it will soak into the wood and will eventually evaporate there. This causes the wood to dry out and buckle, warp and crack. Protect wood by covering it with a coat of resin. This is especially common when making wooden canoes and paddles or any implement that will be in direct contact with water. Once the resin wears out or begins to yellow or crack, remove it with paint stripper so that you can replace it.

Cloth
Acetone
Gloves
Goggles
Dust mask
Paintbrush
Paint stripper
Paint scraper

Instructions

- 1
  Soak a clean cloth in acetone and rub it over the resin coating if you just applied it and want to remove it. If the resin has already dried this will not work to remove it.
- 2
  Put on gloves, goggles and a dust mask. Open windows in the room to ventilate your workspace or work outside if possible.
- 3
  Dip a paintbrush into the paint stripper and brush it over the surface of the wood. Brush with the grain so that there is a thick layer of paint stripper over the entire surface. Use a paintbrush you don't mind throwing away as the paint stripper will ruin it. Use heavy bodied stripper for vertical surfaces and liquid stripper for horizontal surfaces.
- 4
  Let the paint thinner sit according to manufacturer's instructions. This amount of time will differ depending on the type of paint stripper you use.
- 5
  Scrape off the resin and plastic paint stripper with a paint scraper. Scrape in the direction of the wood and be careful not to scratch it.

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