How To Remove Paint From Wood Furniture Without Damaging The Finish?
If by mistake the paint spatters have occurred on to the wood furniture, it can be a very difficult task to remove the paint without damaging the underlying finish. By using harsh chemicals on to the paint can cause the paint and wood to bond further. Also, by using vigorous abrasion techniques to strip the paint off can strip the finish away as well. It has been recommended for the user to use specific techniques that will clean the surface without affecting the wood with faded spots and unsightly scratches. The steps to clean the dried paint from wood furniture without damaging its finish are given below:
- Scrape The Paint:
The first step will be to lightly scrape the paint using a credit card or putty knife. The step can sometimes be enough to remove small spatter of dried paint. In case, the paint doesn't come off, don't scrape too much rather follow the below steps. - Soften The Paint:
The next step will be to soften the paint by applying a few drops of olive oil on to it. It is recommended to cover the paint with a rag for an hour so that the paint soaks the oil well. After an hour, try to scrape the paint off using a rag or a plastic paint scraper. - Test The Finish:
In case the user is yet to remove the paint from the wood furniture, he can use more drastic measures for which he needs to test the wood's finish first. For testing the finish, the user needs to apply nail polish remover at the inconspicuous spot of the wooden furniture and dap it by using an artist's paintbrush. The softening finish by the process will be lacquer and the finish that remains hard will either be polyurethane, alkyd varnish, or waterborne acrylic. - Softening Paint on Lacquer Finish:
In order to soften the paint on a lacquer finish, the user can apply mineral spirits or latex paint remover on to it. After applying the solvents, the user needs to dab the paint with a cotton swab and scrape the paint off using a plastic putty knife once it softens. - Softening Paint on Other Finishes:
In order to soften the paint on other finishes such as polyurethane, alkyd, or acrylic, the user needs to apply lacquer thinner on to the paint. Also, the user needs to dab the solvent on to the paint and scrape the paint off once it softens.
Note: If the above-mentioned steps are not able to remove the paint, the only remaining option will be to sand off the paint from the wooden furniture and repair its finish afterward.