Latex paint is perfect for almost any DIY paint job. But there may come a time when you want to strip the paint off a piece of wood furniture—either because you want to redo it or because you made a mistake. In both cases, you’ll want to know the best way to do so.
You can remove latex paint from wood using a paint stripper, rubbing alcohol, a steam stripper, soap and water, or even a putty knife. The right method for you will depend on how much paint you need to remove and where your project is located.
Are you wondering which method of paint removal is ideal for you? Let’s look at all the methods of removing latex paint from wood and narrow down your options.
How to Remove Latex Paint from Wood
Whether you accidentally got some latex paint on some wood as you painted or want to redo a piece of wood furniture, you’ll need to start by removing the latex paint from the wood. There are several ways you can do this, and your method will depend on what you have on hand and how much paint you need to remove.
The putty knife method generally works best for tiny drops that get on the floor as you paint the ceiling. But if you are trying to get all of the paint off a piece of furniture, then it is better to use a paint stripper that will get the job done quickly.
Before you can start removing latex paint from wood, however, you will need to gather some supplies.
What Supplies You’ll Need
There are several methods of removing latex paint from wood, all of which require some supplies. However, you won’t need all these supplies, as you will likely only use one method to remove the paint from your wood.
- Lemon juice
- Rubbing alcohol
- Spatula
- A cloth or towel
- Brush
- Paint stripper
- Safety goggles
- Rubber gloves
- Putty knife
- Paintbrush
- Plastic sheets
- Heat machine
- Steam stripper
- Pressure washer
- Soap
- Hot water
Use a Paint Stripper
Using a paint stripper to remove paint from wood is one of the easiest ways to remove a large amount of paint from a piece of wood furniture. Paint stripper is a strong chemical, though, and should only be used on furniture you can take outdoors for the process.
- Start by laying down protective equipment, like a drop sheet, to protect your grass or floor. If you are forced to use a paint stripper indoors, open the windows to allow as much fresh air in as possible.
- Take the time to protect yourself with goggles and gloves. Then, use a paintbrush to apply a paint stripper to all parts where you wish to remove the paint.
- Wait 15-20 minutes, then use a putty knife to scrape off the paint. It should come off easily; if it doesn’t, apply another layer of paint stripper, wait 15 minutes, and try again.
Use Rubbing Alcohol
Using rubbing alcohol mixed with lemon juice is a suitable method for removing small amounts of paint that may have dripped on the floor. It is also a method that can be used to remove large amounts of paint from a piece of furniture.
- Start by protecting your work area with a drop cloth. While rubbing alcohol isn’t as dangerous as paint stripper, many people still choose to put on personal protective equipment to keep the rubbing alcohol from getting on their clothes and skin.
- Mix four tablespoons of lemon juice in a bowl with a cup of rubbing alcohol.
- Then, use a clean cloth to apply the mixture to the wood.
- After you finish the application, wait a moment, then try to use a scraper to remove the paint. If it does not flake off easily, reapply the rubbing alcohol mixture and try again.
The rubbing alcohol mixture is not nearly as potent as paint thinner, and many people find that they need to apply it 3-4 times before the paint scrapes off easily.
How to Remove Latex Paint Naturally
While rubbing alcohol and paint thinner work well for removing paint, they are not natural methods, and people who are sensitive to chemical smells will not like them. So instead, they should look at a more natural way.
A natural method to remove latex or acrylic paint from wood is using either a steam stripper or a heat-producing device. In either case, the device can loosen the paint from the wood allowing it to be easily scraped off.
- When using the heat machine, hold it 8 to 10 inches from the wood and keep it moving as you apply heat. Once the paint begins to bubble, use a scraper to remove it from the wood.
- For those using a steam stripper, hold the steam stripper 6 inches from the wood and move it back and forth. Once the paint bubbles, you can use your scraper to remove it.
Use a Putty Knife or a Paint Scraper
The nice thing about latex paint is that it is generally pretty easy to remove from wood. Many people find that they can do so by using a putty knife or paint scraper.
All you have to do for this method is find a corner or part of the latex paint where it is already peeling. Then, slip the knife or scraper under the corner and dislodge the paint from the wood.
Generally, this method only works with small amounts of paint and is not recommended for removing paint from a large surface area. If you are removing paint from the furniture you want to redo, it’s best to use a different method.
Use Soap and Water
If you struggle with just using the putty knife method to remove paint from wood, you can combine it with the soap and water method to make removing it easier.
- Mix dish soap with 4 cups of warm water.
- Once the water foams, dip it in a sponge and apply it to the paint you want to remove.
- The water should make it easier to peel the pain back, allowing you to get your scraper underneath it and scrape it from the surface of the wood.
However, this method does not work for removing large amounts of paint from wood and should only be used to clean up drips that may occur while painting.
Final Thoughts About Removing Latex Paint from Wood
Overall, there are many ways to remove latex paint from wood if you should need to do so. However, if you are cleaning up some drips, the putty knife method is enough to leave your floor as new.
If you have a larger project, like a wooden chair you want to repaint, it’s best to use one of the chemical methods. But, no matter what method you choose, you’ll be happy to have your latex paint off your wood at last.