How to Take Paint Off Wood

Wear a long sleeved shirt to protect skin against accidental chemical splashes. Don safety gear such as protective eye wear and gloves that are chemical resistant to guard against harmful chemicals. Choose a work area such as a garage. If this is not feasible, then work in a room that has the windows open and run fans to ensure that the room is well-ventilated. Place the furniture on a plastic drop cloth or on layers of newspaper because removing paint can be messy.

Remove debris from the piece of furniture using a soft cloth and soap and water. Any dirt or dust can cause poor paint adhesion. Allow the furniture to dry.

Pour a paint remover into a metal tray. With a paint brush, apply a thick layer of paint remover to the painted surface and allow it to set according to the manufacturer’s directions. Apply the remover by brushing in one direction. Its best to work slowly to minimize the chance of chemical splashes. Allow the paint remover to process according to the manufacturer's instructions.

After the amount of time required by the manufacturer has elapsed, check to see if the paint is ready to be scraped by trying to scrape a small area with a putty knife. It may be necessary to apply the paint remover a few times in order to remove the paint. The paint is usually ready to be removed when it wrinkles, bubbles and pulls away from the surface.

Scrape the paint sludge from the wood surface with the putty knife once its ready to be scraped. Use a molding scraper or a toothbrush to get into any small crevices. If the paint is too difficult to remove, apply a second coat of paint remover.

Use a scrub pad to wash the wood with a stripper cleaner that has a mineral spirits base. The stripper cleaner will remove any residue left behind from the paint remover.

Allow the furniture to dry overnight.

Use an orbital sander with a medium grade sandpaper to remove any paint left behind on the furniture. Use a fine grade sandpaper and the orbital sander to smooth the wood and prepare it for staining or painting.