Removing paint from wood is not a fun job. It's time-intensive and messy — very messy. But the end result is worth it, because whether it's a piece of furniture or window molding, the natural beauty of the wood is revealed.
You have the choice of having wood commercially stripped with harsh chemicals, which can damage the wood, but if you're up for the challenge, it's a job worth doing. However, if the wood is built in — like a bookcase or stair banister that cannot be removed — hand-stripping is the only way we know. If you decide to tackle this job, you'll need a heat gun, gel-type chemical stripper, steel wool, after-wash and sandpaper or a palm sander.
If a heat gun works, it's the easiest and least messy. If it doesn't, attack the finish with a stripper. Before deciding whether to do the job, get an inexpensive lead-paint kit to test for lead paint and check with the National Lead Information Center 800-424-LEAD or .
Removing the paint from wood depends on the type of paint and/or varnish that covers it and the number of layers to be removed. For those same reasons, the removal technique can vary, too. When the finish is removed, you'll see its natural condition and if sanding is needed to restore the wood to its original luster.
One time we removed paint from old window woodwork to find a mismatch of wood; leaving it natural or staining it would have been blotchy, so repainting was the only option. Without knowing what the wood is, and how many layers of paint or stain there are to remove, it's not easy to get an estimate. In general, a painting contractor will charge $201, including labor and material, to remove three layers of paint and varnish from a standard paneled door.
You can buy the materials for $65 and do it yourself, saving 68%. To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit and on smartphones. Get local news delivered to your inbox!.
