How do you strip wood furniture?

David
by David

I have a antique table and chairs (6) and need to strip off old stain and gook and need to know the best product to use.

  5 answers
  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Sep 20, 2019

    I only use Citristrip.

  • Gk Gk on Sep 20, 2019

    If you choose to use Citristrip you have to be very patient. It works a bit differently than the more typical furniture strippers so make sure you follow the directions carefully to get good results. It is less caustic and does have a better smell but sometimes I choose to use the more toxic stuff because it's faster! I also end up using the more toxic stuff to get off all the gook from the Citristrip! Half of me likes Citristrip, the other half doesn't!

    • David David on Sep 20, 2019

      Thanks GK I think I am getting the picture on the citristrip but is the time very slow for the product to work?

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Sep 20, 2019

    I use Kleen Strip. Wear gloves and safety glasses.

    • David David on Sep 20, 2019

      Thanks Kelli is this fast and where can you find it.

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Sep 20, 2019

    It's faster than citrus strip but striping is an exercise in patience. I've seen it at Home Depot, but more often in stand alone paint stores. Call around. Get lacquer thinner to wash down, 220 grit sand paper and sever grades of Steel wool for final cleaning with lacquer thinner 0 to 000 steel wool.

  • Gk Gk on Sep 20, 2019

    David, in response to your question about the time it takes for Citristrip to work. It takes leaving the product on from 30 minutes to 24 hours. The length of time you would need to leave it on depends on what you are taking off-how thick the old finish is. Some old pieces of furniture have a heavy layer of old varnish and dirty goo that may take more time. It will just depend on what your old finish is like. Here's an article on 4 different kinds of strippers; just make sure to hit the left/right arrows where the stripper is displayed to read about each one. I hope you find this helpful! https://www.familyhandyman.com/woodworking/furniture-repair/stripping-furniture-tips-for-refinishing