You may probably want to restore your wood and remove the current stain to apply a new, good-looking stain. Removing the stain from the wood provides a clean slate on which you have an opportunity to apply fresh paint. However, removing the current stain is not an easy method. Therefore, considering the difficulty of removing the oil-based stains, we have prepared easy-to-follow steps on how to remove Oil-Based Stains from wood.
Below is the procedure on how to remove oil-based stains from wood.
Removing Oil-Based Stain From Wood
When making changes to your wood flour or maybe refinishing pieces of furniture in your house, there are specific steps to be followed, just as shown below.
1. Prepare the Workplace
Because you will use chemicals to remove the Oil-Based stains from your Wood and some of the chemicals used are harmful to your skin, you should ensure that your working environment is conducive.
2. Protect yourself
How do I ensure I protect myself?
- Wear protective clothing; You can choose to wear your old clothes which are long-sleeved.
- However, it would be best to put on goggles and gloves to prevent chemical spillage in your hands and eyes.
- Apart from that, you are advised to lay a piece of old cloth on the floor to protect it if you are working from inside.
3. Organize your Tools
How do I organize the tools?
- For example, you should have a paintbrush, stripper, and Plastic scraper in the case of stain removal.
- Read the manufacturer’s instructions before you open the striper.
4. Prepare the Wood surface
How do I prepare?
- Clean the wood surface with soapy water.
- After cleaning, dry the area by wiping it with a dry cloth or leaving it to dry for a while.
5. Using Stain remover to get rid of wood stain
Many wood products are used as chemical peelers in woodwork, but Dumond Strip, and Whip it stain remover is always considered the best.
How to remove stains from wood using stain remover?
- The first step to working with a chemical stripper is by pouring it into a metal container.
- Use a paintbrush to apply the chemical peeler to the wood surface.
- Apply the stripper carefully for better results.
- Leave the chemical on the surface of the wood for a while until it starts to swell up.
- Use a plastic scraper to remove the strapper residue from the wood surface.
- Ensure to apply the chemical stripper on the wood surface as directed by the manufacturer
6. Clean the Stain Particles
How to clean
After removing the chemical stripper residue from the wood surface,
- Use a piece of cloth to remove the remaining stains or debris from the wood surface and allow it to dry for an extended period.
- If the stains are tough and can still be seen even after the cleaning, sand can wipe away such stains.
- After sanding the wood surface, clean away the grit and dust using a piece of cloth and mineral spirits.
7. Apply a New Coat of Stain on the Wood Surface
After the Wood, surface has dried up, and you want to furnish your wood furniture with a new attractive look, you can use Minwax Polyshades stain and General Finishes wood stain.
How will you apply the new coat?
- Use a quality paintbrush to apply your stain, then apply the wood stain gently for the best effects.
- Wipe away any streaking with a cloth after applying the stain, and then run the paintbrush over the wooden surface.
- Allow the wood surface to dry, then apply varnish over it.
I hope these steps on how to remove oil stains from wood were as clear and easy to follow. To better understand wood stain properties, below mentioned are the types of wood stains and their usage.
Types of Wood stains
1. Oil-based wood stain
It is one of the most popular wood stains since it penetrates deeper into the wood and lasts longer. Many oil-based stains contain linseed oil and Varnish. The main aim of linseed is to work as a preservative to any wood paint or its end product.
It is always easy to identify oil-based wood stains as it contains Aliphatic hydrocarbon, which forms a thin layer on the wood surfaces.
2. Water-Based wood stain
Water-based stains contain aniline dye solvents which help in the passage of colors. The water-soluble aniline dyes are made from coal tar, making it chemically derived. They easily dissolve in water and therefore making it easy for woodworkers to obtain colors. In addition, the stains contain high-quality pigments, which enhance the grain of the wood. They also contain fewer chemical particles, thus making them environmentally friendly. However, it is challenging to use Water-based stains most of the time as they dry faster, mainly when applied on more extensive surfaces.
3. Gel Stain
They are thick stains applied on the wood surface but are not rubbed inside it like traditional stains. It is always built up similar to paint, but the difference is the gel stain still allows you to feel the wood texture.
4. Varnish Wood Stain
Just like gel stain, varnish wood stain also remains on the surface of the wood. However, it does not penetrate deep inside the wood surface. For that reason, the traditional stain is applied first to act as a natural color of the wood before the Varnish is added. Then, if colors are needed, Varnish with added colors is used.
5. Lacquer Wood Stains
Like Varnish, lacquer is a beautiful, traditional film-forming topcoats that add enamel to the wood. They are mainly applied over dried stains. It is thin and requires to be applied in more thin layers, but it’s more durable than shellac. Unfortunately, lacquer fumes can be harmful and toxic if not carefully handled, making them difficult to work with.
Compared to other types of wood stains, oil-based stains are considered to be the best as:
- Other elements do not easily penetrate through it.
- They sink deeply into the wood, imparting a rich color that is easily refreshed by applying another coat.
- It dries slowly, resulting in a smooth finish.
- When compared to water-based stains, they are more durable and require less maintenance.
- They are darker, so they always look good on furniture and other and other wooden objects.
- They protect the wood surfaces against harmful chemical spills and cracking.
Though considered the best, sometimes you may get tired of the color and the make of furniture in your house and therefore you need it to be furnished again to bring in a new beautiful look and fantastic scenery into your home.
There are many ways of refurbishing your furniture and other wooden objects in your house, and the main one may be removing the wood stains from your wood and replacing them with a new coat, depending on your taste.
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Conclusion on how to remove oil-based stains from wood
Living a good life and having your home match your taste is the dream of every person. But what happens when you get tired of seeing the same color or tone on your beautiful wood furniture or floor? Removing an oil-based stain from your wooden house fittings can sometimes be annoying if not done properly. Therefore it’s always advisable to follow proper guidance, just as shown above, for excellent results.
