How to remove old varnish from wood. How to remove varnish from a wooden surface? Removing varnish: methods

Wooden floors are often coated with special protective agents (most often polyurethane or acrylic varnishes), which form a beautiful matte or glossy film. The surface of such a floor becomes elastic, durable, resistant to abrasion and scratches. However, sometimes it is worth updating the coating so that it enhances the performance characteristics of the wood. Moreover, the varnish dries quite quickly, no matter how many layers you apply (1-2 hours). And to do this you will have to remove (wash off) the protective layer of varnish from the floor.

We will discuss below how the acrylic product is applied and what is the technology for removing it before the next coating.

Important: it is necessary to wash off the acrylic varnish from the wooden surface before applying a new layer of coating. Otherwise, too many layers of protective material, which dries quickly, will simply swell over time and peel off in unsightly pieces.

Removing varnish: methods

The newest and easiest way to remove varnish is to wash it off. Moreover, the price of the product starts from $3 per 1 kg. The technology for removing acrylic coating involves applying a special chemical to the wooden surface, which corrodes the varnish and lifts it from the wood.

In modern stores you can purchase chemical removers in the form of powder, creamy paste or ready-made liquid, the use of which is quite common today. In the first case (powder remover), it is necessary to mix the components of the product in accordance with the instructions indicated on the package. In other options (cream or liquid composition), the removers are already ready for use.

Nail polish removal technology, or how to wash off old coating:

• We prepare the chemical remover by thoroughly mixing;
• We remove all pieces of furniture from the room;
• Apply the chemical composition with a convenient brush or floor roller;
• Cover the treated coating with film and wait 1-2 hours;
• Now you can carefully remove the old acrylic varnish coating with a spatula, without touching the wood. If there are still areas of varnish that have not peeled off on the floor, you can treat the floor again with remover.
• When working with a brush or roller, it is important that the tools move in the same direction and do not treat the same area of ​​the floor twice.

Important: one application of chemical nail polish remover can remove 2-3 layers of paint. In this case, powder preparations overcome up to 10 layers of acrylic varnish at once. The consumption of powder chemical remover is equal to 1 to 10 when mixed. Which is very beneficial.

• When the old coating layer is removed, the floor must be washed with water and detergent and the wood must be thoroughly dried.
• Before applying a new varnish, the floor should be coated with a layer of antiseptic primer. How many layers of antiseptic to apply is up to you. But it’s better to do it at least 2 times. Applied with a brush or roller, the primer will subsequently protect the wood from rot, mold and bugs.

Some tips:

• When working with and using a chemical remover to remove paintwork, use spatula with rounded edges. This way you will reduce the risk of damage to the parquet boards. You can purchase such a tool in a specialized store (its price is $0.3 per piece).
• Don't forget about protective equipment- mask and gloves. Their price is also available in specialized stores. Therefore, you should not save on your health.
• Ventilate the room more often so as not to be poisoned by volatile chemical vapors.

Mechanical nail polish removal

• You can also remove acrylic varnish from the floor by primitive scraping. To do this, you can use either a grinding machine or a professional unit. In the first case, you can do the work yourself, but be sure to use safety glasses, a respirator and headphones. The grinder should be moved along the floor from the walls to the center of the room and closer to the exit. We subsequently remove all wood-varnish dust with a vacuum cleaner.
• In the second case, it is better to invite specialists. Because handling a heavy scraping machine requires skill. The price of floor treatment will depend on the square footage, but on average it ranges from $5/m2.

If you decide to handle the scraping machine yourself, then consider some features:

• When turning on the unit, it is better to raise it, since the grinding elements can go deeper into the floor boards and unsightly deform it;
• When turning the machine indoors, it is also recommended to slightly lift the unit towards you;
• It is better to move around the perimeter first diagonally and only so that the grinding unit slightly overlaps the already processed strip. Afterwards, it is worth changing the direction of the unit in the diagonally opposite direction.
• Removing nail polish in this way can be done both in large and small rooms.

Important: after treating the floor with a scraping machine, it is necessary to remove any remaining dust (no matter how much there is) and, if necessary, repair damaged floor elements. You need to cover the wood with new layers of paint using a brush or roller, moving along the grain of the wood.

Thermal method

Here, the technology for removing acrylic varnish is to strongly heat the floor. Under the local influence of high temperatures, the paintwork will begin to swell and move away from the wood.

You can use either a blowtorch or a hair dryer for this work. In the first case, the work will progress a little slower.

Important: to perform this technology, you need to stock up on safety glasses, gloves, a respirator and a rounded spatula. Don't forget to ventilate the room well.

Work technology:

• The varnished floor is completely cleared of all pieces of furniture;
• Using a heating device, we locally increase the floor temperature;
• We immediately remove the lagging varnish using a spatula, moving further around the room.

Important: if the varnish becomes charred during heating, this indicates that its composition requires the intervention of a chemical remover for removal. Therefore, heat treatment is not your case here.

New floor varnishing

• New coats of varnish should only be applied to the prepared floor. Therefore, you will first have to dry the boards well and clean them of dust.
• Before applying varnish with a brush or roller, treat the wood with an antiseptic. In this case, you need to ensure that the wood is well saturated.
• After the antiseptic has completely dried, you can begin to varnish the floor. Decide for yourself how many layers of coating to apply, but always at least 2.
• Since the acrylic product dries from 2 to 4 hours, it is worth pausing between stages of applying varnish. As soon as the previous layer has dried, you can apply a new one.

The consumption of acrylic varnish for wooden floors is generally 100-120 ml/m2. Therefore, it is important to carefully calculate the amount of product needed and buy it at a favorable price. At the same time, we note that the price of acrylic varnish at points of sale starts from $50 per 5 liter canister.

It is worth remembering that on average, varnish consumption during the first application is about 1 liter per 8-10 m2. When applying the product again, its consumption is significantly reduced and is already about 1 liter per 12-15 m2.

Important: Reviews of nail polish removal work from many users are still in favor of chemical removers.

Often, before painting or re-varnishing a wooden surface, it is necessary to remove the old layer of varnish. There are several ways to do this: wood varnish remover, mechanical method, heat treatment. Choosing a specific option often causes certain difficulties, since a person without skills is rarely able to decide on his own. The result of this is damage to the processed material.

Before painting or re-varnishing a wooden surface, it is necessary to remove the old layer of varnish.

Below we will talk about the main methods of removing nail polish, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of certain approaches.

Nail polish removal methods

It must be said right away that only the most popular surface cleaning methods are covered here. There is no universal recipe that is applicable in all situations.

The choice of method depends on many variables, including:

1. The type of base is of considerable importance, since it makes a difference what exactly needs to be cleaned - furniture or parquet.
2. Varnish composition. Different options are relevant for different compositions.
3. Layer thickness. It's one thing to remove one layer, quite another to remove many old layers.

Treatment with chemical compounds

Treating wooden surfaces with chemicals (also called stripping) is one of the most popular methods of removing varnish when it comes to delicate surfaces of furniture or other delicate objects. The chemical compositions can be powders, gels, specialized liquids or a regular solvent.

The choice of a specific option depends on the task at hand. When it comes to shellac, denatured alcohol is best. Liquids are most applicable to surfaces where there are not many layers - up to three. The fact is that the liquid tends to erode quickly, which is why it is simply not able to absorb deeply enough. Powder chemistry is the best choice for large-scale work, since such materials can be preserved for a long time. But gels and paste-like materials are best suited for removing a significant number of layers of varnish or paint.

Denatured alcohol is best for removing shellac.

It is best to apply the mixture in a vertical position. This is not only more correct from a technological point of view, but also more convenient. Gels and pastes can remove up to a dozen layers of old coating at a time.

Instructions for removing varnish from a wooden surface

The entire coating removal process consists of four stages.

First stage: applying wash

We wet the brushes in the chemical composition and apply a decent layer to the surface. We proceed from the rule that the brush should be passed over one place only once, without repetition.

Second stage: film

To enhance the washing effect, we organize a compress, for which we cover the surface to be treated with a polyethylene film. The average waiting time for the effect of a compress is from 1 to 4 hours, depending on how many layers are to be removed. A good sign is if the remover changes color and becomes dark brown or brownish, and the varnish begins to swell.

Third stage: removing varnish

After the varnish has become softer, it must be removed with a spatula. The edges of the new spatula are too sharp. Therefore, it is recommended to round them slightly using a sharpening stone. This will make working with wood more accurate.

The pressure on the swollen material must be careful. You probably won't be able to completely get rid of the varnish in one go. Then you need to repeat the operation again. However, it happens that one pass with sandpaper is enough to remove the remaining varnish film.

Fourth stage: neutralization of the chemical composition

Do not forget that the chemical composition remaining on the wooden surface must be washed off either with plain water or with vinegar solution (500 grams of water per 100 ml of vinegar). You need to wash off the remaining chemicals thoroughly, but not for too long, since moisture is harmful to wood, and the surface being treated at this time is deprived of protection. As soon as the washing is completed, the surface should be wiped well, and then the item should be moved to a dry and ventilated place. Moreover, direct rays of the Sun should be avoided. After drying, the wooden product can be re-varnished.

The chemical composition remaining on the wooden surface can be washed off with plain water or vinegar solution

In addition to liquids, spray cans are also used. As a result of spraying the spray, a foam layer appears on the surface being treated. Sprays are easy to use, however, their disadvantage is the ability to wash off only minor layers.

Important! Work with chemical compounds must be carried out in compliance with safety rules. The room must be well ventilated. For protection you need to use special gloves and respirators.

Acetone is also used as a solvent. First of all, a fabric compress is made, thoroughly soaked in acetone. Then the compress is applied to the areas intended for cleaning. Cover the compress with plastic wrap and wait 10-15 minutes.

Note! Removing the varnish layer on furniture or chipboard panels can damage the surfaces, as the decorative film can be damaged. The best material for removing varnish is natural wood.

Mechanical cleaning

The essence of the technique is surface scraping. In other words, this is stripping off the varnish layer using a construction tool - a cycle, which is a sharpened steel plate with a handle. Moreover, the handle is at an angle to increase pressure on the surface. You can purchase a cycle or make it yourself.

You can remove varnish from a wooden surface using a scraper.

You can do without a special tool by using glass. But this device has a drawback - it quickly becomes dull. If you choose glass, you need to remember to use protective gloves to avoid getting hurt.

If the varnish layer is thin, you can use regular sandpaper. Moreover, it can be used either manually or by attaching sandpaper to an angle grinder. There are three types of grinding machines:

• tape;
• vibration;
• eccentric.

Vibrating machines are the most affordable. This tool can be used to clean furniture.

The working process is as follows: sandpaper is installed on the “sole”, which is used to process the surface. This method of removing varnish is very dusty, but compared to manual processing, this option will give a much more aesthetic surface.

Advice! Don't forget to protect your surroundings from dust. Plastic film will do for this.

The main advantage of mechanical processing in comparison with chemistry is that toxic and unpleasant-smelling substances are not used. In addition, if you work carefully, this method of cleaning is more gentle on the wood than in the case of chemical compounds. Mechanics have one drawback - the process is long and labor-intensive.

The main disadvantage of mechanical processing is that the process takes a lot of time and effort.

Advice! Since mechanical cleaning takes a lot of time and also requires accuracy, it may be more rational to use the services of a hired specialist. In addition, the specialist is equipped with professional equipment, which will improve the quality of work.

Heat treatment

The essence of this process is to heat the wooden surface, due to which the varnish adheres less firmly to the surface. In other words, the varnish begins to crack, after which it can be pryed off with a tool (a chisel or spatula will do) and slowly removed.

Please pay attention to the following nuances:

1. During work, you need to use protective equipment (gloves and goggles), and also ventilate the room. The fact is that when heated, the varnish releases toxic substances, and when the material is mechanically separated, pieces can bounce off of it. Also, do not forget about fire safety.
2. If the varnish is heated up, but does not peel off, but becomes charred, you need to change the cleaning method and you cannot do without chemicals.

Required tools:

Note! A standard household hair dryer is not suitable for removing nail polish.

The main advantage of the thermal method is its high speed. However, we must not forget about the danger of overheating the varnished surface, since in this case it may catch fire.

The work is done with both hands: one holds the hairdryer, which heats the surface, and the second holds a spatula for removing nail polish.

Conclusion

In most cases, you can clean the varnish yourself. If you lack confidence in your own skills or the work is too delicate, it is best to turn to specialists.

Removing varnish from wood - the most effective methods

Wood products, to impart durability and preserve the aesthetic beauty of the fiber structure, are coated with tinted or transparent varnish. It looks beautiful. But time passes, and the appearance loses its attractiveness. This mainly happens under the influence of the atmosphere: direct sunlight; temperature difference. Chemical processes occur and the integrity of the coating is compromised.
If the coating is intact, then applying a new layer of varnish on top does not cause the slightest difficulty. It's enough just:

• remove dirt and dust;
• matte the surface: treat the surface with fine sandpaper to ensure adhesion between the old and new layers of varnish;
• degrease the surface: depending on the varnish, use solvent or white spirit;
• apply one or more layers of varnish.

Situations often arise when it is necessary to remove the varnish coating from a wooden product. This is visually visible when there are cracks in the paintwork. When applying a new layer of varnish, peeling or curling of both layers will begin. This also often happens when applying nitro varnish to varnish with an alkyd base. As a result, you will have to remove all layers of varnish from the product.
Basic methods for removing varnish from wood

First way Suitable only for carpentry production. Using a calibration machine, 1 millimeter of the surface is removed. But! This is only possible with a door or tabletop, while the thickness of the product is reduced, and in the case of a door leaf, manual removal of varnish on the seams and panels is added to this. After calibration, the surface is sanded, prepared, and varnish is applied in 2-3 layers.

Second way the most labor-intensive and costly in terms of materials. Remove the coating manually using sandpaper, or if the appearance does not matter, using a wire brush. You can remove it from flat surfaces using a sander. There are quite a few disadvantages to this method. A lot of time to work and a lot of sandpaper consumption. Some people manage to remove cracked varnish at home using a spatula, but you can imagine the quality of the product’s appearance.

Third way, in my opinion, the simplest and highest quality. Apply evenly with a brush, roller, spray gun or swab to remove varnish from wood. Wait 10-15 minutes and remove with a spatula and chisels in hard-to-reach places. The chemical must be selected depending on the type of varnish. We recommend Docker S5 Lack wood varnish remover. This product is odorless, but you still need to adhere to safety precautions, protecting your skin and eyes from contact with liquid. After this, it is advisable to degrease the surface with a solvent, removing any remaining chemicals and treat with sandpaper and degrease. That's it, the surface is ready to apply varnish.

Not everyone can replace old furniture with new ones every time, as this can be expensive. Therefore, you don’t really want to throw away your favorite dining table, comfortable chairs or spacious closet. But this is not necessary, since you can give the furniture a second life.

It will be enough to remove the varnish, which gives the furniture an untidy and shabby look., and cover the products with a new layer of varnish. And all this can be done at home. But you need to find out in advance what you can use to remove old varnish from wood, and how to quickly and effectively get rid of the old coating. There are several proven methods that can be used to remove old coating from a wooden surface.

Mechanical method

The mechanical method is popular, thanks to which you can achieve excellent results and ideally prepare the surface for repair. This method has one significant advantage - the absence of any chemicals. But be prepared for the fact that the process can be long and requires special care.

To carry out mechanical removal of the old coating, you will need tools. It is quite possible to use a metal plate as a tool, which should first be sharpened. This must be done so that the tool can better cope with the task.

Sandpaper of various types can also help in this matter. A brush with metal bristles will come in handy at the very beginning of the preparatory work. You can also use a grinder or even an angle grinder, which will need to be equipped with a special attachment.

You can use a router if you have one in your home.

All of the above tools will help you cope with a small layer of varnish. When using tools such as a grinder or grinder, it is recommended to be extremely careful not to damage the structure of the product itself.

Don’t forget about personal safety methods. The work should be done with gloves, a respirator and safety glasses, since during cleaning there will be a lot of fine dust, breathing which is strictly not recommended.

Work order

Before you begin the process of removing old varnish, you need to prepare the furniture. The old table or sofa will need to be disassembled so that every detail can be carefully processed. It will be easier to remove the old coating from the door.

Prepare a special place at home, cover the floors with film so as not to spoil the surface. It is advisable to carry out all procedures outside, but if there is no yard, then you can do it at home.

The surface of each part must first be subjected to rough processing, be sure to use the special brush mentioned above. Next comes the turn of using coarse sandpaper, which also needs to be carefully processed over the entire surface in order to remove the entire old layer.

After removing the old coating, you should treat the surface of the furniture with fine-grained paper to carry out the so-called sanding. After this procedure, you should get a smooth and clean surface, which must be freed from fine dust. This can be done very quickly, especially if you have a large and soft brush.

A grinding machine can be useful if we are talking about a large surface.

For example, if it is a large cabinet or table.

Chemical method

Many people are afraid of the mechanical cleaning method only because this can ruin the surface and damage the wood. In this case, it is recommended to pay attention to the chemical method, which is also effective, so that you can easily do everything yourself. This method is perfect if you need to remove old coating from an uneven, grooved or carved surface.

Today there are many special products called washes. It can be liquid, powder or gel. The liquid is perfect if the product has a maximum of three layers of varnish. Gels are suitable for multi-layer coatings. And nail polish remover in powder form is ideal for large surfaces.

If you choose powder as a nail polish remover, it is recommended to dilute it a little with water before use. It will be easier to apply a thick paste evenly onto the surface, and this way the product will cope with its task more effectively.

The general algorithm for working with chemicals includes the following steps:

• Before you start work, put on gloves and a respirator to reliably protect yourself. Remember that you are not dealing with harsh chemicals. Otherwise, the preparation process is similar to that recommended when using the mechanical method.
• Using a regular paint brush, apply the washing liquid evenly to the prepared surface in an even layer. It only needs to be applied in one layer, and then the product should be covered with film. After a couple of hours you can open it. If there are more than three or four layers of varnish, then the product must be left under the film for four hours or more.

• After the film is removed, you need to carefully remove the layers of varnish using a regular spatula. Try not to work with pressure and do not use a spatula that is too sharp, otherwise the wood surface will be seriously damaged.
• Next, you can wash off the remaining varnish with plain water. In order to clean the surface, you can add a little table vinegar to the water. Use only one tablespoon of vinegar essence per liter of water. After this, the product will be ready for you to cover it with a new layer of special varnish.

• If the method described above did not help to completely get rid of all layers of the old coating, it is worth repeating the procedure. If only small areas of old varnish remain on the surface of the furniture, they can be easily removed using sandpaper.

If using a powder or aerosol, follow the same instructions.

Other methods

In addition to the methods described above, there are other cleaning methods, which in professional circles are usually called thermal or thermal. Using this method, the old coating is removed from furniture by heating the surface. At high temperatures, the varnish begins to melt a little and easily lags behind the material.

Undoubtedly, this method requires more careful preparation, and non-professionals must approach the process with knowledge.

• It is imperative to protect your hands with special gloves. If you use regular rubber ones, you can get a serious burn when the surface of the furniture gets too hot.

• The room in which the whole process will take place must be well ventilated, otherwise toxic poisoning can occur.

• Don't forget about a respirator and safety glasses.

In order to carry out thermal cleaning at home, you can use a gas or gasoline burner. You can only work with this unit if this is not your first time. Newbies may create dangerous conditions due to inexperience, causing fires or serious burns. Therefore, it is recommended to strictly adhere to safety rules.

All photos from the article

When the need arises to restore lacquered furniture or other products, the first thing everyone wonders about is how to prepare the wooden surface. And having decided that the task is impossible, they abandon the idea. But this is in vain, because old furniture or decorative elements that are put in order will last for a considerable time.

In addition, after restoration, such products can acquire the value of antiques.

Why is it necessary to get rid of old coating?

The process of restoration of wooden objects consists of three equivalent stages:

• Preparatory, the purpose of which is to remove the old varnish coating until the wooden surface is completely exposed.
• Restorative, during which the wood texture is updated using special means.
• The final stage, which consists of applying the final coating to the product, according to the restoration project.

Attention! When starting to renew a wooden product, you should remember the main rule - you need to work carefully, without haste, so as not to damage the wood. It is better to perform cleaning in several passes.

Technologies for removing the varnish layer from wood

There is nothing supernatural about how to remove old varnish from wood. As in any business, you just need to understand the existing methods of this process and choose the most suitable one to do it yourself.

Using special washes

To remove old coating from wooden surfaces, a specialized product for removing varnish from wood is traditionally used, called a remover, according to the manipulations performed.

Advice! Depending on the thickness of the varnish layer, you will need to repeat the cleaning procedure two or more times. So be patient so that the result is of high quality!

The instructions for performing this work are simple:

1. A kind of compress is made for the entire surface to be treated:
   • First, a generous layer of varnish remover from wooden surfaces is applied to the product. This can be done with a brush or in another way (depending on the chosen product).
   • Then we very carefully wrap the treated part with plastic film to prevent rapid evaporation of the cleaning agent. We leave the compress in different ways from 40 minutes to 24 hours.

In the video presented in this article you will find additional information on this topic.