Have you been wanting to give a A second chance for some old wooden furniture? Stripping it can be a practical solution to know its condition and provide it with a new finish that makes it fit into the style of your home. Discover how to strip a piece of furniture step by step and give it a second life!
Now that we're leaving summer behind, it's a good time to embark on these types of DIY projects that can keep you entertained for a few afternoons. If you're determined to strip your furniture and give it a second life, Don't hesitate to follow our advice. There is no single method to do it, so you can choose how to do it.
What is pickling?
What does this process consist of? What are its objectives? We are talking about stripping, but it is likely that many of you do not know what it is, so we have gone to the RAE where it is defined as "to remove by physicochemical methods the layer of rust, paint, etc., that covers an object.»
In the case of wooden furniture, stripping usually consists of removing the old varnish or layer of paint that covers it in order to apply some type of treatment or finish to renew its appearance.
How to strip wood furniture
As we have already mentioned in the introduction, there are various methods for stripping a wooden piece of furniture. One of them requires chemicals, another uses heat to achieve the same goals. Each has its pros and cons; find out about them and decide on one or the other depending on the project you have at hand.
With chemicals
The most commonly used method for stripping furniture and also the most effective is the chemical method, which consists of applying a varnish to the surface of the wooden furniture. Specific product capable of removing the layer of varnish and old paint.
These products known as strippers are quite aggressive, so it is necessary to always apply them following the manufacturer's instructions and taking certain safety precautions. Protecting both the floor and the workspace by covering it with plastic and using appropriate clothing, gloves and protective glasses will be key to carrying out the work safely. Once all the protective measures have been taken, the steps to follow will generally be the following:
- Using a nylon bristle brush, To prevent damage to the surface, apply the paint stripper to the surface of the wooden furniture. Use the amount recommended by the manufacturer, as not using it could make the product less effective.
- Once the product has been applied Let it act for the time recommended by the manufacturer (usually between 10 and 15 minutes). The product will act by wrinkling and shrinking the paint or varnish layer.
- After the indicated time Remove paint or varnish with a metal spatula, scraping in the direction of the grain. You can also use a steel wool pad in those areas that the putty knife cannot reach.
- Paint or varnish removed neutralizes the effect of the stripper rubbing the wood with a cloth soaked in alcohol to prevent it from continuing to act.
- Are there any traces of paint or varnish left on any part of the furniture? If the paint stripper has not removed all the paint or varnish, it is best to repeat the operation. Apply a new coat of stripper in that area and follow the steps above.
with heat gun
In addition to chemical strippers, heat can be used to remove the old layer of paint or varnish from a piece of furniture. But not just any heat tool will do the trick. you will need to use a heat gun. A simple tool that you will have no problem finding in any DIY store.
Heat guns emit a hot air flow that can range between 50 and 600º C and can generally be adjusted to adapt the tool to different types of work and therefore objectives.
Using them is very simple, although you should also take certain precautionary measures. On the one hand, you should never work with the heat gun near chemicals or flammable objects that could catch fire. In addition, heat-resistant gloves should be used when handling them.
Once all precautions are taken, stripping a piece of furniture using this heat tool is very simple. Just follow these steps:
- Place the heat gun a few centimeters from the surface of the wood and in constant movement to prevent the same area from getting too hot, it runs over the entire surface.
- When the paint or varnish layer begins to soften due to the heat, Scrape it off with a metal spatula to remove it easily.
Now that you know how to strip a wooden piece of furniture, do you dare to give a new look to that piece of furniture that you never liked? Think of it as a DIY project to enjoy your free time this winter and be creative.