I think most dishwasher detergent is washing soda. Washing soda is ike a weak type of caustic soda or lye. Washing Soda is also much cheaper than dishwashing detergent. You need to mix washing soda pretty strong to strip paint, maybe as much as 1:1. I just mix washing soda into the solution until it quits dissolving. To make it a bit sticky so it clings to vertical surfaces I mix in a bit of all purpose flour, but not a whole lot.
Washing soda is usually to weak to take oil paints off but it does remove most latex paints and most of the older shellac or lacquer furniture finishes.
The basic method is to use it like a washing solution and keep it wet on the surface until the finish starts to loosen, then scrape and wash the finish off the wood.
For serious enamel oil paints you might try TSP (trisodium phosphate) which is a bit stronger.
Sodium hydroxide is another strong caustic also known as lye or caustic soda. AVOID IT! It is extremely dangerous and can easily burn flesh. Even though it will remove almost any form of paint it has a tendency to dissolve the wood underneath the paint at the same time. I do not recommend using lye. Too dangerous.
I was wondering if you could help me with something -- I have an entirely oak kitchen. I know it's the rage now to paint or gel stain cabinets. I've been considering ...
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Edit:””” 3 years later😂 I decided to paint them white and I am so very pleased with the results!We bought a new house with these ugly cabinets. I really cann...
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I've had my first (of many, I'm sure) disastrous DIY project. I have covered my entire kitchen cabinetry with chalk paint and I hate it. It's streaky, it's cracking, ...
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Hi Margaret, hope these will help you.
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/furniture/safe-alternative-to-harsh-chemicals-11189919
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/108297566013030121/
Safe Alternative to Chemical STRiPPER
I think most dishwasher detergent is washing soda. Washing soda is ike a weak type of caustic soda or lye. Washing Soda is also much cheaper than dishwashing detergent. You need to mix washing soda pretty strong to strip paint, maybe as much as 1:1. I just mix washing soda into the solution until it quits dissolving. To make it a bit sticky so it clings to vertical surfaces I mix in a bit of all purpose flour, but not a whole lot.
Washing soda is usually to weak to take oil paints off but it does remove most latex paints and most of the older shellac or lacquer furniture finishes.
The basic method is to use it like a washing solution and keep it wet on the surface until the finish starts to loosen, then scrape and wash the finish off the wood.
For serious enamel oil paints you might try TSP (trisodium phosphate) which is a bit stronger.
Sodium hydroxide is another strong caustic also known as lye or caustic soda. AVOID IT! It is extremely dangerous and can easily burn flesh. Even though it will remove almost any form of paint it has a tendency to dissolve the wood underneath the paint at the same time. I do not recommend using lye. Too dangerous.