The Best Paint Stripper For Furniture Stripping

Typically, the first step in painting or refinishing furniture is stripping the old finish from the piece.

This step can be quite challenging if you don’t have the right stripper and the right tools.

In this post, we’re going to share with you our picks for the absolute best paint stripper for furniture.

These picks are environmentally friendly, fast working, and, most importantly, remove old finishes with as little effort as possible. So, let’s dive into the best paint strippers for furniture.

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Our Top Picks

Best Overall Paint Stripper
Citristrip Paint and Varnish Stripping Gel

Best Environmentally Friendly Paint Stripper
Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover

Fastest Paint Remover
Sunnyside 2 Minute Paint Remover

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The Best Paint Strippers For DIY Painters

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How do Paint Strippers Work

There are two categories all chemical paint strippers fall into, either caustic or solvent. Caustic paint strippers (like lye), break down the chemical bonds within the paint. These strippers must be neutralized. They will affect the substrate and even new finish or paint when it`s applied. 

Solvents are the most common paint stripper on the commercial market. They “swell” the paint to break the bond between the paint and the substrate. When paint stripper is applied to the paint surface, it breaks the “swelling capacity” of the paint. That term references how much liquid material the paint can absorb. 

There are some inherent risks when you combine two chemicals to create a reaction. The active ingredients in paint strippers are dangerous if they come into contact with skin or eyes. While they are made with “safer” chemicals these days, you still want to avoid breathing in fumes. The next section will discuss the dangers of using paint strippers. 

Dangers of Paint Strippers

One important thing to know before stripping paint from old furniture and cabinets is the likelihood that the bottom layers of paint will contain lead. Before 1978, all paint had lead in it. If you`re using an industrial paint stripper that contains methylene chloride, you could be in danger. When that chemical comes in contact with lead, it forms a highly toxic lead gas. 

All the paint strippers in this article are methylene chloride free, but still check the label of any paint stripper you buy to make sure it`s safe. 

Exercise caution”¦

Without methylene chloride, there are still dangerous chemicals in even the best paint stripper, and unprotected usage of them can be harmful. A few side effects from paint strippers:

• Skin and Eye Irritation
• Headache
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Loss of coordination

Skin contact with paint strippers can cause dermal absorption, in addition to burns to the skin. Once the body absorbs chemicals in the stripper, real damage can result. Repeated exposure may cause kidney, liver, and sometimes even heart damage. 

Many of the chemicals, even in “safe” paint strippers, are considered carcinogens. User should exercise caution and take basic safety measures whenever using dangerous chemicals. Check out these respirators to keep yourself safe.  

Compounds to Look Out For

As mentioned above, methylene chloride is a dangerous chemical compound found in many industrial paint strippers. In recent years many manufacturers developed formulas free of both that compound and NMP. This is because of regulations by major retailers in recent years prohibiting the sale of products with methylene chloride in them. Citizens proposed a ban on the chemical in 2017, but the EPA didn`t take action. 

Since then”¦

Paint strippers with the compound are responsible for four deaths. In some cases people were trapped in poorly ventilated rooms with the chemical and asphyxiated. In other cases the fumes triggered heart attacks. 

Another compound frequently found in paint stripper is NMP. Those initials stand for N-methylpyrrolidone. This compound can enter the body either through the skin or breathing in fumes. It damages the reproductive systems in both men and women. 

People who are exposed to NPH experience irritation of the eyes, nose, skin, and throat. The chemical also affects the central nervous system and causes drunkenness similar to alcohol. Now, safer brands of paint stripper are available without both these compounds. Shoppers should always check labels prior to purchase. 

How to Properly Use Paint Strippers

Set yourself up for success. Afterall, you don`t want to repeat the process because it didn`t work the first time. Gather all the materials and equipment that you`ll need, so you don`t end up in the middle of the project and searching for something. Make sure you have:

• Furniture piece or cabinet doors: the project you`re working on.
• Paintbrush: for applying paint stripper.
• Drop cloth or plastic sheeting: to protect the floor.
• Glass or metal bowl: to pour stripper in, and place paint chips. 
• Plastic scraper: cheap ones will do fine.
• Steel wool: to get into hard to reach places.
• Water: to clean off remaining paint chips & stripper. 
• Rags: for cleaning off the piece. 

Most paint strippers come in liquid or gel form, and the importance of a high quality paintbrush can`t be overstated. The paint strippers discussed later are water soluble for cleanup, but have one dedicated brush to stripping to avoid reuse on paint projects. 

After you`ve selected a piece for upcycling, set up a dedicated work spot in a well ventilated area. Even when using a low or no fume paint stripper. Pick a work area that will be out of the way. That way, you can leave the stripper on your project overnight to remove multiple layers of paint. 

Start off with a test patch on a hidden area. If there`s an unforeseen reaction between the stripper and the furniture, you wouldn`t want to find out after coating the whole piece. Invest the time in performing a test. It will give you practice in application, scraping, and clean up. 

Don`t be stingy”¦

The best paint stripper will pull of many coats of paint, as long as enough is applied. And be patient! But putting on a thick initial coat and waiting long enough, cleanup just gets easier. For quick projects, there are several fast-acting paint strippers listed below. Your test patch will also tell you if you applied way too much, or not nearly enough. When you`ve done a test patch, follow these easy steps: 

1. Pour paint stipper into a glass or metal bowl. Some paint strippers have adverse reactions with plastic.
2. Use a paintbrush to apply at thick coat of the paint stripper. 
3. Leave for anywhere from 10 minutes to overnight. 
4. Paint will bubble up when it`s ready to be removed.
5. Use a plastic scraper to scrape off the paint, revealing the wood underneath. 
6. Dip steel wool into water and use it to get into hard to reach and detailed areas. 
7. Use a damp rag to clean of remaining paint chips and paint thinner from the piece.

Once the old paint is removed from the furniture or cabinets, you`re ready to give it fresh life with stain, varnish, or a new coat of paint.  

Don`t Forget Safety

First, read all labels and warnings on the paint stripper. It will tell you in detail what safety precautions are necessary for safe usage. Regardless of labeling, invest in a high-quality respirator and use it anytime you`re working with chemicals. Even if the product promises that it`s fume-free and safe to breathe, there are still solvent chemicals at work. 

Many “safer” paint strippers advertise they`re safe to use indoors. While no one wants to go through the trouble of removing all the doors from their cabinets before they get started working on their upcycling project, there are real benefits. Experienced painters advise the removal of doors before painting cabinets anyway, so you might as well get the hassle done all at once.  

Always cover exposed skin with long sleeves and pants, and use plastic gloves. You don`t want this stuff accidentally getting on your skin. Also, protect eyes from spills and splashes with safety goggles. In brief, here is a list of precautions:

• Respirator
• Plastic gloves
• Long sleeves & pants
• Safety glasses
• Well-ventilated area

Manufacturers may advertise that these paint strippers are safe, but they are still strong chemicals that are harmful without proper precautions in place.  

Consider These Safe Alternatives 

People with a sensitivity to odors and chemicals may not want to risk messing around with any kind of chemical paint stripper. There are safer alternatives with less risk of creating lead fumes or the presence of carcinogens. The alternative methods discussed here are:

• Heat guns
• Infrared devices
• Sanding
• Skip the stripping

The alternative to a chemical paint stripper is the use of a heat gun, which breaks the bond between the substrate and paint with heat. A heat gun is directed at the paint and moved back and forth. When the paint bubbles and melts, it`s scraped off with a metal scraper. High-heat guns (1,100º or more) can cause lead paint to release dangerous fumes. They should only be used on projects where there`s no chance of lead paint being present. 

Similar to a heat gun, but at a much lower temperature, are infrared devices. They`re bulky and won`t work in tight spaces. For larger jobs and flat areas, they`re fast (30 seconds) and keep temperatures well below the point of creating lead fumes. Since they`re also drawing moisture out of the wood, any new coats of paint or varnish will have a strong bond with the surface. They can be expensive and may not be worth purchasing for just a few DIY projects.

Other mechanical methods of paint removal include sanding. Special sanding wheels are sold specifically for taking paint off metal. Sanding on wood furniture or cabinets requires caution, patience, and a light touch. Excessive sanding may damage the substrate beneath the paint. Sanding lead paint will create dangerous lead dust, which should be avoided. 

Consider if it`s even necessary for you to strip a piece. For example, you want a painted finish, and there`s only a stain on the furniture or cabinet door. Stripping the stain and varnish from the wood is more work than necessary. Instead, simply roll or brush on a few coats of primer, and then paint as normal. Stripping paint is only essential when there are already several coats on the wood. Granted, there is greater adhesion between primer, paint, and bare wood. However, in many circumstances, the added durability is probably not worth the hassle of using a paint stripper.