A Lumber Store in Franklin County, MA Explains How to Safely Strip Paint from Wood

When you want to refresh the look of an old piece of furniture or wood surface, you might immediately think about applying a coat of paint. The simple act of painting an item or surface can completely transform its appearance so that it looks newer and fits better with the overall design scheme of your space or structure.

Painting wood is a simple way to bring it back to life, but it’s not always as easy as picking up a brush and a can of paint from your local hardware store. In order to ensure a quality paint application that looks as great as you envision it, there are some preparatory steps that you will need to take. The first thing you will need to do when you are applying a new coat of paint or refinishing a wood item is to strip it of any existing paint.

Paint stripping methods

Before you begin stripping paint, you will need to make sure that your wood is as dry as possible. While a little moisture is usually okay, and generally unavoidable if you are working with outdoor wood furniture or structures, you should make an effort to dry out your wood. You can do this by using a towel or cloth, or use a hair dryer for a more thorough dry. Once your wood is dry, there are several different methods you can use to actually strip the paint. If you still need advice about stripping your paint, stop by a lumber store in Franklin County, MA for expert tips and tricks:

• Sanding: One of the simplest and most common methods of paint stripping is sanding. Using an electric sander or a piece of coarse sandpaper, begin sanding your wood with the grain. Coarse sandpaper will be able to strip your wood of paint, but you should follow it with a softer grain to smooth your wood and prepare it for a new coat of paint.
• Chemical stripping: To use a chemical stripper to remove paint, you will need to make sure that you protect yourself with the appropriate clothing and gear to prevent injury. Once you’ve prepared yourself and your workspace, pour your chemical into an open container or a spray bottle. You can use a brush to apply the chemical agent from an open container or evenly coat the surface using a spray bottle. Allow the chemical to sit on the surface of your wood for about an hour, and then use a scraper to remove the paint. Finish up by sanding the surface of the wood.
• Heat gun: Heat guns can be dangerous to use, so it’s important that you are very cautious while stripping your paint with this method. Hold the heat gun a safe distance from the wood you are stripping and pass it over the surface so that the paint begins to bubble up. Then, you can use a paint scraper to remove the softened paint and then finish off by sanding the wood.

Visit a lumber store in Franklin County, MA

Whether you want to find out more about how to revitalize your wood furniture or surfaces or you want to transform your space with something new, you can trust the experts at Forest Products Associates for help. We carry an extensive selection of quality wood and lumber products at our lumber store in Franklin County, MA.

Posted: to Lumber Store on Fri, Jan 19, 2018
Updated: Fri, Jan 19, 2018