How do I remove gloss paint from front door to prepare for staining??

Stripper is my go to, I like the old toxic stuff Klean Strip that works much better as long as you work outside or in the garage, and have some good heavy rubber gloves and safety glasses on. I scrape the first layers off, and then when it looks like your down to the wood, I do 1 or 2 more applications and use 000-0000 steel wool to get it out of the wood grain so when you stain there is no paint to interfere. The alternative that some folks like is sanding it off to bare wood.

If you are staining you need to get all the old finish off. Stripper and sanding. A big job! Painting would require less work - but maybe not the look you’re going for. :)

Hello. I would suggest to remove the door from the hinges work on sawhorses and work with a chemical stripper.

here is info for you https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-remove-gloss-paint

Citristrip paint stripper.

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/exteriors/how-to-strip-paint-off-a-door-3888973

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/my-trick-to-make-furniture-stripping-super-easy-1257776

There are a bunch of tutorials over here: https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=how%20to%20strip%20paint

Citrus gel stripper works great.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=citrus+stripping+gel&crid=2EYE34P3KDTC3&sprefix=cirtrus+str%2Caps%2C564&ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_1_11

Citri-Strip paint remover works great! To increase your success, apply the Citristrip product, then cover with plastic wrap while and let the product do its magic. Remove the plastic wrap and scrap the Citristrip and paint away with a plastic scraper. I will be a gooey mess but the stripper should get the majority of the the paint softened so it's removable with the scrapper and perhaps a stiff scrub brush. Reapply, if needed, the rinse well. You may need to sand well before staining.

This post recommends using paint stripper: https://www.houseofbrinson.com/2019/01/05/how-to-strip-paint-from-doors/

Hi! You are going to have to take it down to bare wood to use stain. I would remove the door and work on removing the paint while you have it horizontal on sawhorses. Citristrip, steel wool, an old clean paint brush and a scraper will get the job done. I do a section at a time so that I get all the paint gunk removed before it starts getting gummy and drying. If you do have a section get too dry, brush on more Citristrip. Have a waste container for all the waste you remove. I often use a soft bristle scrub brush (from Dollar Tree) to work the paint out of all the nooks and crannies. A denture brush also works (Dollar Tree also sells them). Rinse all the residue off before sanding. Good luck!

Citristrip

You'll have to strip the door using a paint stripper, so long as this door is wood. After stripping, you'll need to sand then you can stain.

If the door is wood, you can use Citrastrip or sand the door down to the wood for staining. Use a wood prep before staining for even color.

You can try CitriStrip and cover it with plastic to see if that keeps it from dripping. It's a thicker product. Otherwise, sanding is up next.

Hello Pat,

Use Gel Paint remover and a Paint scraper (follow instructions). Then sand down and clean off, before you stain.

Here's a post that might help https://homeguides.sfgate.com/strip-refinish-front-door-81235.html

https://www.prettyhandygirl.com/strip-paint-off-door/ you can check this out, it may help you out.

Thanks everyone for you help and info. Very helpful.