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How to Safely Remove Wood Stain from Furniture
Sam Lutz • Nov 18, 2019
Interior design trends change. Instead of giving your furniture the boot, give it a new look. Restaining an old piece with a new varnish color can go a long way, but first you need to remove the old stain color. These essential steps remove wood stain from furniture.
Safety Precautions
Any project involving debris and chemical fumes requires appropriate safety measures, both for yourself and for the surrounding area.
Personal Safety
As with most home projects, you’ll want to gear up with appropriate equipment. Outfit yourself in old clothes and appropriate equipment to ensure your safety when you remove wood stain from furniture. A pair of goggles, a face mask and gloves should be worn for the project’s duration. If possible, do your project outside to ensure adequate ventilation against caustic chemicals.
Secure the Area
You don’t want accidents from this project to create another repair project later, so minimize your risk. Start by prepping the area you’ll be working in by laying a drop cloth under the furniture and surrounding area to prevent spills or mess from debris. Tape off metal pulls and hinges to avoid contact with chemical agents. Before you get to work on removing the wood stain, take a few minutes to wipe away dust and dirt with mild soap and water, allowing your furniture to dry completely.
Use a Chemical Stripper
Specialized chemicals are the most effective means of removing wood stain from furniture, and using them only takes a few steps.
Apply the Chemical Agent
Removing wood stain products isn’t very difficult. Start by pouring the wood stripper into a glass or metal container, and be sure to have a small paintbrush handy. Using the brush, apply a layer of wood stripper to the surface of the furniture, using the tip to get into difficult cracks and crevices. After a few minutes, the wood stripping agent will bubble, signaling that you can remove it from the furniture.
Scrape Away the Residue
After the wood stripper has bubbled, it’s ready to be removed. Don’t worry if the chemicals aren’t dry yet, as they should remain damp. Using a plastic paint scraper or putty knife, gently scrape the wood stripper off of your furniture. It should take the pigment stains along with it, leaving a fresh surface. To get into stubborn areas, use a steel wool pad, scrubbing in the direction of the grain. Wipe the furniture surface with a damp rag to clear any remaining chemicals.
Sand the Surface
Chemical agents aren't guaranteed to remove 100% of wood stain, and mild damage can still occur even with proper care. Sanding may be required when wood stain penetrates deeper.
Sand Gently
For pieces with lingering wood stain finish, break out your sand block or orbital sander. Using a medium-grade sandpaper (100-150-grit), gently sand the surface to eliminate the wood stain and imperfections. Be sure to sand evenly to maintain a level surface.
Clean Up Your Work
With most of the work completed, switch to 180-grit sandpaper. Medium-grit paper can leave marks behind, and the heavy-duty materials can smooth this out. Remember not to sand down any more than 1/16”, as it may affect the shape of your furniture the quality of the surface. Wipe everything down with a damp cloth again and let it dry before applying a new stain color.
Choose Your New Wood Stain Products at Ace
Out with the old, as the saying goes. Having removed the former hue of wood stain, you can revamp your furniture. That’s where we can help. Stop into one of our south hills locations to choose a new color from our selection of high-quality wood stains
today.
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Restaining an old piece of furniture with a new varnish color can go a long way, but first you need to remove the old stain color.