Some say:

“Stripping / using paint stripper for wood is better than sanding, especially when removing old paint."

While others believe:

 “Stripping off paint is quite messy and difficult. For this reason, we prefer sanding furniture."

The conflict between both paint removal methods has been existing for years, and is still a buzzword when looking for quick, safe, effective, and convenient ways of removing paint from the wooden surface. What could be the reason behind it?

Sanding, however unevenly removes stain and patina (the color changes in wood brought on by light and oxidation). To acquire an even coloring for refinishing, you must sand through this coloring after you start cutting through it.

Paint strippers make a mess, perhaps this is the reason why many individuals prefer sanding instead of using them. However, stripping is typically far less labor-intensive, particularly if you have the patience to wait for the stripper to penetrate the wood.

Keep reading to learn in detail about both paint-removing methods.

Sanding vs. Stripping Off Paint from Wood Furniture – What's the Difference?

Sanding or stripping is required to remove paint from an old piece of furniture. Here is a sneak peek into both methods.

Sanding is best for bigger, flat surfaces.Stripper works best in contours and tight corners without taking much effort.Sanding is loud, especially if done with a power sanderCertain paint removers are quite hazardous.Multiple paint layers will provide challenges to the paint stripper.It can be challenging to complete a project if paint becomes stuck in the sandpaper.

How Sanding is Beneficial?

Sanding has a few significant advantages. In addition, most DIYers and woodworkers are familiar because they frequently have sandpaper on hand with a method.

Here are some advantages of sanding:

Sanding goes rather quickly. A sander can easily complete the task of adding texture to your item if that is all you are after.

 

The sanding is not smelly, and sanding eliminates the stench that is frequently produced by the chemicals in paint strippers.

 

Sanding is a one-time thing. As you will see with the paint stripper, you might need to do some finishing sanding even after applying the stripper and scraping it off.

Cons of Sanding

Dust & mess - Even if you use a vacuum attachment on your sander, some dust will inevitably escape into the air and the surrounding space. This is not only difficult to clean, but it could harm your eyes or lungs.

 

Simple to over-sand – This is particularly true when using a power sander, such as a belt sander. If you are not very careful, you could over sand and create dips and scuffs.

 

Another problem is sanders' ability to make paint fairly mushy and sticky, clogging the sandpaper. As a result, you will either need to regularly replace your sandpaper or spend some time cleaning it.

 

Even with a small hand sander such as a mouse sander, it might be challenging to work in confined locations.

What are the Benefits of using Paint Strippers for Wood?

Some people are eager to try the alternative stripping method because they are tired of sanding. Both experts and amateurs frequently use paint or stain strippers.

Here are several justifications for why individuals prefer to strip wood.

Motives for stripping wood

It takes fewer efforts - You can save many hours sweating with the sander if you apply the paint stripper correctly. Apply the stripper, wait, and then scrape the paint off.Little corners - Before scraping off the finish in tight areas, a stain stripper might assist loosen the finish. This method gives you the edge over sanding because you don't need as many fine instruments.

 

You obtain raw wood - If you want to refinish something with polyurethane or stain, a stripper can help you get down to the bare wood without destroying the wood's natural grain. Sanding makes it harder to protect the wood from harm and takes longer to get to the grain.

 

Takes Less Sand - As we previously stated, sanders can make a big mess, especially when working on a big job. While using a stripper can still result in a mess, it is not dust.

Downsides to Stripping / Using Paint Strippers

When someone attempts to strip a surface, they either love or despise it. You must try this method to determine if it will be effective for you. Do not give up on your first effort if you are new to stripping the wood. Instead, consider whether anything you did was incorrect.

Following that, the following are some drawbacks of stripping:

Harsh chemicals - The paint stripper you use may emit nauseating fumes or be caustic if exposed to your skin; they are toxin paint strippers. These, however, usually do not function well as the more hazardous substances, as you might imagine.

Sticky – Although it doesn't produce as much dust as sandpaper, some individuals find that it turns into a sticky, unpleasant mess. After stripping, you must go over the project with a putty knife and scrape off any remaining paint. Even after they have stripped, some people discover that they still need to spend considerable time sanding.

 Costly – After using the paint stripper, you must purchase more for the next endeavor. Although you will periodically need to buy more sandpaper, you could argue that sandpaper is more reusable than paint stripper because there are ways to repair your sandpaper.

Numerous layers: To remove multiple layers of paint from an old piece, you must apply several coats of paint stripper.

How to Strip off paint from wood Effectively?

 

Steps to Strip Wood:

Safety First - Utilize a paint stripper that is safer to use. Wear eye and hand protection as well. When using a paint stripper, good ventilation is essential!

 

Apply liberally - Do not cut the costs. Paint the paint with the paint-stripping solution. It must make contact with every area of the surface.

 

Wait - Wait for the period specified for your product. You can keep an eye on the paint and use your scraper to check how to lose it from time to time.

 

Scrape – Scrape the project's paint with a metal putty knife to remove the flaking paint. This process could be tedious. Take your time and be careful not to harm the wood.

 

Repeat - Repeat the procedures as necessary to get rid of all paint or stain.

 

 If you also have a question, what is the best paint stripper to use for removing paint from wood? There is no concluded answer; any stripper you use depends on the type of paint that needs to be removed. Nevertheless, the chemical-based solvents / chemical strippers are the most effective ones, such as; the b17 stripper.

Discover a wide variety of paint strippers and removers at Solvent Replacement.