6.26.2009

Furniture Renovation Part III: Using Liquid Stripper to Remove the "Goo"

Are we ready to continue? (Wow, do I sound like an 8th grade teacher or what? Wait a minute, I did used to be an 8th grade teacher! I guess that explains it!) I'll try to make this a little more fun than 8th grade...

If you have a piece of furniture that is either a) too stubborn to be sanded down to the raw wood, or b) has lots of spindles, various other rounded surfaces or lots of little crevices that are hard to get with sandpaper, you may have to use a liquid stripping agent. It's not that scary, really!

First, head to your home improvement store and get some stripper. (Let's hope people don't Google "stripper" and end up here. This is SO not what they are looking for!) I would also pick up some acetone (also pictured above) for the post-stripping phase. Mineral spirits or denatured alcohol work just as well too.

You should also grab some steel wool pads and maybe some of these little metal brushes. The brushes work especially well if you are stripping stubborn paint. Then, head to the bathroom and get you a roll of toilet paper. My grandfather used to swear by it when he refinished furniture, and who am I to argue with tradition?

I have this little wooden trunk that my husband and I have lugged around to three different houses. We keep saying we are going to refinish it. I am hoping this tutorial will actually prompt us to do it! So we'll use it as an example.

First step: sand the wood as best you can. If nothing else, it breaks down some of the stubborn layers and might make stripping a bit easier. I sanded the heck out of this piece, though, and couldn't get down to the wood, so I knew that I would have to use the liquid to get the job done.

Next up: get to a well-ventilated area, and slap some of that liquid stripper onto your piece of furniture. I used a foam brush to apply mine. Word of caution: wear some protective gloves for this part. This stuff can hurt if you get it on your skin! And, of course, follow the directions on the bottle before you follow my idiot's version!

Let the stripper sit for as long as you have the patience, or whatever the directions tell you. Mine sat for about 30 minutes. Then, grab one of these little scrapey-tools (see photo) and just scrape the stripper off. You should have some kind of trash can or receptacle ready, but be sure it's not one you care about because it will get all gooey! In the photo above, I scraped most of the stripper to the edge, then used some toilet paper to soak it all up and wipe it off.

Then I went back with the acetone and my steel wool pad and gave the wood a good scrubbing. Steel wool works well because it gets into the grain of the wood and can remove more goo.

Then I went back with toilet paper and wiped with the grain of the wood to get the last of the goo. As you can see, it really works!

Finally, I let it dry and then went over the wood again with some sandpaper (starting with a 60 grit, then 100 grit, and then 150 grit). If you scroll back up to the first photo, you can get a good sense of how much crud came off this thing!

Stripping furniture involves a lot of elbow grease, especially if you are removing paint and planning to stain the piece. Somehow when you apply the new stain, it will reveal every last speck of that ugly green paint that you thought you had removed! But don't be afraid...you won't hurt the wood. It's very forgiving. Just get in there with your steel wool, metal brushes, toilet paper, sandpaper or whatever else you think might get the job done!

And once your piece of furniture is stripped, it's on to the fun part! Next week I will show you how to make it pretty again. :) Have a great weekend!


20 comments:

Letti said...

Thank you for that wonderful tutorial. I never thought about sanding first.

Annie said...

I am SO psyched to try my hand at this. I am a visual learner and need LOTS OF PICTURES! This series will be a great help! Thanks...

Marci @All Things Wonderful said...

Great tips! I don't know if I could tackle this project...WOW!

Anonymous said...

I have used the liquid stripper and it is a lot easier. I had once that allowed you to use a water hose to remove the gook. Boy it sure does burn your hand if you get it on you. You are doing great with your tutorial. I think anyone could be able to follow this pretty easily. Good job.
QMM

jewelrybyrebecca said...

OK, I'm building my nerve. Maybe I can do it!?

Kathy said...

I save old tin cans to scrape the stripper goo into. Just thought I'd share the tip.

Tasha said...

These tutorials are the best! I am just so excited to be heading back to reread them in a few weeks!!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Wow..a lot of "love" will go into that little piece of furniture~
sandy toe

Ms. Tee said...

This is a great tutorial - I'm trying to find the time to do a table & this helps a bunch!

Jboo said...

Thanks for the tips -- can't wait to see the final result!

An 8th grade teacher -- bless your heart -- that's a tough group, isn't it!

Have a fun week!

Janet

Shannon said...

Wow! That worked great. I have always wondered how well those work.

Amber said...

I've never stained a piece to refinish it, so I've never tried the liquid stripper technique. Maybe someday I'll try. But, I don't know if my elbows have enough grease in them!

Shannon said...

Really enjoying the tutorials Carrie. I have never refinished a piece of furniture, but you have me thinking I should try it. . . I'm keeping my eyes out for a good project.

Its So Very Cheri said...

I love furniture redos-not long after we were married-my hubby said "Do I need to get you your own set of tools?"
Cheri
www.itssoverycheri.blogspot.com
check out my plate make over

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Good for you, you industrious girl you! I did loads of stripping years ago.....it is one stinky, nasty job, that's for sure! Can't wait to see the finished project.

Blessings,
Spencer

Kim said...

I went antiquing this past weekend and I thought of you and your renovation projects!!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Ok - I'll get out my 3 nightstands in the basement that I have plans for. I'll try to follow along, but I'm already behind. We'll trade - you do the furniture, I'll do the sewing!

Genny said...

I don't know if I'm brave enough to attempt this, but I love the detailed info you always give! You are amazing!

oliveoyl64 said...

I just found your blog and have blogrolled it so I can continue to be inspired. I too have a love for thrifting,yardsales and curb shopping. I have so many projects to keep me busy...... so what am I doing on here?

I do have a blog but you will see I haven't been a good poster this yr. Some things are just more important to me.

Lisa & Gerald said...

You go girl...Looks great...