HOW TO REMOVE PAINTS FROM WOODEN WALLS

Are you getting bored with the old look of your wooden walls? Do you want to get a new look on your walls? Is there anyone who doesn’t like any wooden surface’s new and fresh look? We all cherish the idea of transforming our old wooden surface into the new one whether it is a wooden wall or any other surface. 

To improve the look of an old wooden wall into a new one you have to apply a fresh coat of paint. And to get a smooth finish of a fresh coat of paint you need to remove the older paint first to get the desired result. But the question here arises in our minds is how do we remove paint from our wooden walls without causing any damage to the surface. Several ways can help you in stripping off the paint from wooden walls. Some of them are natural paint strippers, vinegar, heat guns, and sanding that work effectively for this cause.  

Before you start stripping off the paint you must get complete knowledge about the different methods and types of strippers used in the removal process.

Ways to remove paint from the wooden walls

Three main methods can effectively strip off the PRIMER DRY BEFORE PAINTING from wooden walls. 

Sanding

Sanding is a natural method of removing the paint from a smaller area of a wooden wall. For this, all you need is sandpaper or wire wool to remove the paint but be gentle while using both to avoid damage.

Heating

Heating is another best removal method when we talk about wooden walls. This method works well by using an electric hot air gun. But it can also burn a surface and can change the color and texture of a surface with your little carelessness. So you must have to be very careful while using air guns. If accidentally you get any scorch no need to be panicked because it can be maintained by repainting the surface.

Chemical stripping

Chemical stripping is the safer method because it causes the least damage to the wooden surface but can be hazardous to your health. So you must take precautionary measures while using chemical strippers.

Types of paint strippers

Mainly two types of paint strippers work differently according to the type of SPRAY PAINT SMELL on the wooden surface.

Solvent paint strippers are very gentle on wood and remove all kinds of paint from the wood. It also prevents the wood from any kind of damage. This type of paint stripper will also prevent your wooden wall from discoloration and clean the paint strippers. They also have a strong odor and it is recommended to use them in a well-ventilated area. If you want a clear, smoother, and more natural finish then this paint stripper is the best to choose.  But if you want to remove the heavy or thick layer of paint then a caustic paint stripper is blindly recommended. 

A caustic paint stripper is cheaper and works well with a thick layer of paint. This paint stripper doesn’t have a strong odor like solvent paint stripper and removes paint faster. Due to its strong alkaline nature it can react chemically with the wood, causing scorching and staining the wood.  

Now the next step is to get complete knowledge about the process of removal of paint from wooden walls. Our simplest guide will help you in stripping off the paint from wooden walls effectively.

Things needed in the removal process:

This is the complete list of all the necessary items which you will need during stripping off the paint from the wooden wall.

PROCESS TO REMOVE PAINT FROM WOODEN WALL

There are six steps involved in removal process of paint from a wooden wall. 

Step 1: Check The Wood First

Before applying the paint stripper you must check the wooden wall first to ensure that the wood is worth stripping or not. For this, you need to do a patch test to check the overall condition of the wooden wall. Sometimes in most cases, wood gets worse and can be rotten after the application of a paint stripper. So if you see rotten wood you must have to treat it first before applying a paint stripper. Rot is the most common problem in the wood and is detected very easily.

There are two types of rot. Dry rot is identified with the spore dust on the wood however wet rot is due to moisture causing the wood spongy. Fix this problem first before stripping off the paint. Replace the wood if the underlying problem cannot be fixed.

Step 2: Check The Paint That Needs To Be Removed

The next step is to ensure that the paint you are going to remove from the wooden wall is without lead. Because once you start removing lead-based paints from wooden walls it will produce dust which will eventually be poisonous and hazardous to your health due to its toxic nature.

Lead poisoning can cause serious health risks, especially in children like seizures and developmental delays. Test the paint first before starting the removal process by using any DIY kit. If it contains lead then follow EPA’s recommended steps to remove such paints from wooden walls.

Step 3: Remove All The Hardware Like Screws And Nails

The third and most important step is to remove all the hardware like screws, nails, doorknobs, and brackets. Those parts of wall that are made of material other than wood should also be covered with a protective tape to protect them from chemical-based products used in the removal process of paint.

Step 4: Gather All The Tools And Protective Equipment

Collect all the tools like a paint scraper, paintbrush, and cloth that would be needed for the removal process beforehand. Choose the paint stripper according to the type of paint. Wear protective equipment like gloves, masks, and glasses.  

Step 5: Application Of Paint Stripper

Pour the paint stripper into an empty bucket. Shake the can well before opening it. Apply the paint stripper with the paintbrush to a small area first. Leave it on the surface for 20 minutes. If you want to remove a thick layer of paint leave the paint stripper for a few hours. Make sure to remove the paint stripper as soon as possible. As it cannot be easily removed once get dried.

Step 6: Scrape Off The Paint

The next step involves the paint scraper. Here you need to scrape off the paint that gets softened with the application of a paint stripper. Once the surface of your wooden wall absorbs the paint stripper, bubbles start appearing and the paint starts peeling off the wood. Be gentle while scraping the wood to avoid any damage. If you see any residual or stains left behind then repeat the process to clean the whole surface properly. 

Step 7: Removing The Paint From Harder Areas

Now it’s time to remove the paint from those areas that are harder to reach like corners and small areas. Apply the paint stripper to those areas and let it sit for a few minutes until bubbles start appearing on the surface. Now scrape those areas with the help of a wire brush or steel wool. Avoid scraping too hard otherwise, it can leave scratches on the wooden wall.

Step 8: Washing And Sanding  

This is the last and the most crucial step as it provides the final and smooth finish to your wooden wall. Final sanding and washing remove the debris, dirt, and leftover paint and paint stripper from the wooden surface making it smoother and clear for the next application of paint.

For this, you need to wash the wall thoroughly with a clean water-soaked rag. After that, sand it properly with sandpaper. You can also use a power sander for this purpose. Wipe the surface with a clean damp cloth to remove the debris produced by sanding before applying the fresh coat of paint. 

SOME NATURAL METHODS TO REMOVE PAINT FROM WOODEN WALL

Some natural methods can easily remove paint from wood without the risk of damage caused by chemical-based paint strippers. Paint strippers work well and quick but natural methods are also recommended if you want to remove a thin layer of paint.

1.Heat Guns

The heat gun melts the paint which can easily be scraped with the help of an angular scraper. These are safer to use but can cause accidental combustion. Don’t focus on a single spot while using these guns rather than move them back and forth to focus on the larger area. There should be two inches of distance between the heat gun and surface to avoid accidental burning. 

2. Vinegar

Mix some amount of distilled vinegar in water and heat it well. Take a clean cloth and soak it in heated vinegar solution. Dab the soaked cloth on the painted wooden wall. Wait for a few minutes and let the surface absorb the solution. Scrape away the paint with the help of a scraper. Repeat the process if needed.

3.Scrapers

Scrapers work well with already peeled or cracked paint. In this case, you don’t need to apply any paint stripper or heat gun to melt the paint. With gentle scraping, you can easily wipe away the paint from the surface. Scrapers with brass blades can easily handle the tougher stains but be gentle while scraping to avoid scratches. 

4.Sanding

Sanding is also helpful in the case when you need to remove thin layers of paint. A strip of sandpaper can easily remove the paint stains from the wooden wall. However larger areas use a power sander to do the tougher jobs. 

5. Pressure Washers

The pressure washer is helpful when you need to remove paint from the outdoor wooden wall. It works only with heavy pressure to remove paint thoroughly. But it can also damage the wood. 

6. Citrus Based Removers

Citrus-based stripper contains natural and organic compounds. These are non-toxic and biodegradable. Their smell is like oranges rather than hazardous fumes. Pour some amount of product into an empty container. Shake the can well before pouring. Apply it with a paintbrush to the wooden wall and let it sit for 30 minutes or overnight. Scrape it with a paint scraper to remove the paint. 

Conclusion