You can dispose of the used stripper and paint residue in the trash, just wrap it up and put it into a regular trash bag. Unbeatable for many small tasks like this. And odorless mineral spirits are doing a good job of cleaning up the minor residue. Be sure to sand in the direction of the grain. 4. Re-apply the Citristrip and continue this process until all the paint is removed. As such, I earn from qualifying purchases. It DID remove paint, but not as well as what I am used to. You should be ready for priming and painting now! Once all the Citristrip is removed, wipe down furniture with a clean cloth and then let completely dry before sanding. And yes, it's blotchy. I tried 3 different ways to remove dried Citristrip stripping from my rocker – first more Citristrip, then mineral spirits and last, After Wash. America's leading manufacturer of innovative water-based finishes. And I was ok with that. Wrap it in Saran wrap? As per directions, I checked on the rocker at intervals – 30 minutes, 1 hour, then 2 hours – but the laquer wasn’t bubbling (or as I like to call it – “frothy”). However, I’m left with the goo inside narrow grooves that is proving very difficult to remove. Took my 180 grit sand paper and smoothed it out with my sander. NO spam, I promise! Manufacturer Account Custom Coatings Registration Form, COMPARE Paints, Glazes & Pigmented Topcoats, COMPARE Primers, Sanding Sealers & Undercoats, Water Based Paints, Glazes and Pigmented Top Coats, Enduro Ready to Match (RTM) Water Based Stain, Fill Sticks -NEW Assortment Pack of 15 Color Groups, Touch Up Markers - NEW Assortment Pack of 15 Color Groups, Water Based Paints, Pearl Effects & Glazes, High Performance Polyurethane Water Based Topcoat, Fill Stick and Touch Up Marker Assortment Pack. The scraper may not move all the finish and stripper. After the Citristrip and goo is wiped away. I debated just throwing out the rocker. Compared to traditional chemical stripper, Citristrip stripping gel is awesome in so many ways: Admittedly it does work slightly slower than traditional stripper, but I don’t mind. If that doesn't work, try reapplying a small amount of Citristrip to the detailed areas and use an old toothbrush to get it out. Mineral spirits is recommended after the stripping solution because it's important to break down those waxes before getting started. Pictured below are the different tools and products I tried to remove the dark/black floor adhesive (glue). Step 4 Not bad for an amateur, eh? Once all the Citristrip is removed, wipe down furniture with a clean cloth and then let completely dry before sanding. Citrus strippers such as CitriStrip have a wax in them to keep the product from drying out after it's applied to the surface. Safe for indoor use (but still open windows for ventilation), No nasty methylene chloride (aka non-caustic), Thicker than typical strippers so clings better to vertical surfaces like table and chair legs, For crevices and detailed work – toothpicks, toothbrushes. You’ll save yourself time by not having to fix stupid mistakes. For even the newest DIY’er, CITRISTRIP® is the effective brand of removers that is pleasant to use because it has a fresh citrus scent. But first, a bit about this amazing stuff. I use 50/50 D-natured alcohol/H20 & a soft bristle tooth brush to remove excess Citristrip. Wait, what?!?! The Easiest Way to Remove Paint from your Old Wood Furniture After your project is cleaned allow it ample time to dry. Allow the rags to dry outdoors before disposal in accordance with federal, state and local regulations to reduce the risk of fire. More, America's Leading Manufacturer of Innovative Water-Based Wood Finishes. 00 steel wool to remove traces of finish from the pores in the wood. If it dries out, then you end up in the same mess I did. Shake the canister well. The first two didn’t work, but luckily After Wash did the job! Remove all old hardware, including door hinges. Citristrip has been working fine except that it happens to dry out very quickly so I need to keep applying more and more Citristrip to keep it moist. I like to buy it for the non-offensive citrus smell and this smelled like bandaids. Then you can sand away any remaining rough spots and wipe down to prepare for paint or other new finish. Explains how to even remove stain from the wood. A coat of wood conditioner that I make (50/50 Shellac/D-natured alcohol) & let it dry. But considering what happened next, I’m glad I didn’t!!). I found using a combination of tools eventually removed the Citristrip. I think it may be a knock-off. The stuff wasn't working to remove … I thought I'd share another option that is pretty simple, that doesn't remove any of the original surface through sanding, leaving those pretty curves completely intact. Use a clean abrasive pad dipped in Citristrip® Paint Stripper After Wash or Klean-Strip® Odorless Mineral Spirits to loosen remaining stubborn bits of paint. A few months ago I picked up a beautiful old Lincoln rocking chair for free. I’m Jen, an “everyday” homeowner on a mission to make homeownership a little easier and a lot more fun. Don’t take the lazy route and try to just go around them. How to Remove Citristrip Before removing the Citristrip and the stain, test a small area to make sure the old stain (or paint) is easily coming off. It can be used on wood, metal, or masonry, and is gentle enough for antiques and fine furniture. Repeat this until you can’t remove any more paint. Time to break out the Citristrip to strip down the chair. It didn’t have to be perfect, just needed to remove the gooey-sticky Citristrip. (In hindsight looking at this pic, I should have applied a thicker layer. I had hoped to go back downstairs to the project later that night after the girls went to sleep. When the wood looks clear of all finish, clean the surface of all residue with soft cloths dipped in Citristrip® Paint Stripper After Wash. (Honestly, I’m not sure if the generic term is “after wash” or just “wash”. It seems I too am going to be doing a lot of sanding in which case I shouldn't have bothered with the CitriStrip. Except steel wool, which was easier to throw out once gunked. Scrape the wood with a wooden scraper to remove the stripper and finish from the wood. I applied a layer of Citristrip to the rocker. I guess it was easier to remove because it was more of a dry crud then a sticky goop, but I wouldn't say I'm much closer to bare wood here. Chaos reigned until the next day. How to Remove Mastic. Whew! Things get messy quick! Admittedly it’s far from perfect. I’ve used it a few times and have been successful – except this time…. I'm thinking the reapplied Citristrip will soften the dried and make it … Mineral spirits is recommended after the stripping solution because it's important to break down those waxes before getting started. Collect the paint in a plastic bag to throw away. Mastic is a resin-based adhesive that is used to set tile and other substances. While tempting as it was to just toss the chair, I persevered and eventually figured out a way to remove dried Citristrip from my old wood rocker. The problem is, I keep ending up some white waxy residue that will harden in a corner and no amount of paint thinner or mineral spirits will break it … Citristrip did a very good job of getting the varnish off a 20-year-old fireplace mantle. My old wood rocking chair was a mess – completely encrusted with Citristrip. Hopefully you will never find yourself in the same stripping gel mess, but if you do, you might want to read on…. In all honesty, it took me 2-3 sessions of applying after wash with a chipbrush and scrubbing with steel wool to finally remove all the old dried Citristrip and lacquer off the rocker. Depending on the condition of the wood, you may need to do a start with a coarser grit (120 or 150) before a final sanding with a 220 grit. CitriStrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel The orange gel has a pleasant citrus smell. Full disclosure located here. Hi friends! Note that this method may not work to the extent where you can re-stain the chair. Most of the stripping tools require gently scraping in the direction of wood grain. Dried Citristrip was encrusted all over the rocker. I prefer to hand sand furniture with a combination of sanding blocks and regular sandpaper cut to fit my finger. But homeownership is also challenging and can be a source of stress, time, and hard work, especially with old houses. Step 3 Rub mineral spirits on solvent paint strippers to neutralize the remover. The first thing I usually reach for when removing the stain from a piece of furniture is my handy dandy sander. There is no fast way to remove mastic, but elbow grease or chemical removers will do the job. Ready for refinishing. Except the steel wool and toothbrush. Depending on the condition of the wood, you may need to do a start with a coarser grit (120 or 150) before a final sanding with a … Dust with a soft cloth, and wa-lah! *What Should I Use to Clean Away Citrus Stripper Before Applying a Water Based Product? Pour some mineral spirits into a cup and get out all your scrubbers. It can remove a lot of stuff! Make sure to sand in direction of the wood. I have used the regular brush-on Citristrip for years. Well, here’s a pic – I painted it with an Amulent ceramic paint recommended by one of furniture restoration friends and replaced the cane seat and back. I use a plastic scraper to remove the majority of the Citristrip/paint sludge - I have a cardboard box handy, and wipe off the scraper on the edge of the box. How to use Citristrip (correctly) to its fullest. As far as the crud in the corners and crevices goes, reach for your best friend: the old toothbrush! However, mineral … Repeat until you finally see a clean surface. Want to join me? Step 4: Fill a Tin Bucket with Citristrip. Be sure to stock up! But no luck. And you might have to be too…. However, mineral spirits is not compatible with water-based products. If it isn’t easily coming off, leave the stripper on longer. But it did what I needed – a chair with no more gunked-on, dried Citristrip. There are a few edges with varnish still remaining that need to be sanded off. Recently I experienced the epic fail of letting Citristrip Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel dry on my latest furniture DIY restoration project. Remove everything. But once I got it home and took a closer look, I noticed chipped lacquer on a few places on the wood. I have found that the longer you can leave the product on your wood, the better it will remove the paint. Pour about ½ cup into a metal container and apply after wash to the locations with dried Citristrip with a chipbrush. If you have already cleaned with mineral spirits, we recommend that you clean the surface with a 50:50 mix of denatured alcohol and water before applying the water-based product. First, I followed safety precautions by snapping on nitrile gloves and rocking some sexy safety glasses. What you’re doing is prepping the remover to do an even better job than its advertised. Read on…. Note that all used rags need to be stored in a well-ventilated area. The wood appeared to be in great shape and at first didn’t appear to need stripping and re-finishing. Directions from a container of Citristrip Stripping Gel: "Use this gel to remove multiple layers of latex based paint, oil based paint, varnish, lacquer, enamel, polyurethane, shellac, acrylics and epoxy.....Use a paint stripper wash or mineral spirits with an abrasive stripping pad to loosen and remove remaining residue. Better than the alternative of just throwing it out, right? Step 3 Scrub the wood with No. Your stripping tools will get gunked up and gooey with old dried Citristrip and finish, so have a stack of old rags nearby to wipe them down. Bubbling indicates that Citristrip is doing its thing and working to separate layers of paint or finish from the wood surface. I then set the table in the sun for a few hrs to dry out. I needed to find a fix. According to the manufacturer, Citristrip paint and varnish stripping gel will stay active and remove layers of unwanted paint and finish for up to 24 hours as long as it remains wet. Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy & effectiveness of the information displayed on this website, Everyday Old House is for entertainment purposes only. After wash removes any paint residue left from stripping, plus conditions the surface for paint, stain or topcoat. How to Clean Kitchen Cabinet Knobs and Pulls (Secret Ingredient)! While I was successful in removing the gunked-on, dried Citristrip, I couldn’t re-stain the piece. And work outside to minimize exposure to harm fumes. This is some serious stuff, so please read the manufacturer’s safety recommendations. Use CITRISTRIP® Paint & Varnish Stripping & Removing Gel to remove dried latex and oil-based paint, varnish, lacquer, polyurethane and shellac from wood, metal and masonry surfaces. On projects where a water-based product will be used, we recommend cleaning with Acetone which evaporates quickly and removes any residue. I recommend at a minimum safety equipment such as chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses or goggles, and long sleeves and pants to avoid splash burns. If you’ve reached the bottom of this post, then maybe you liked what you read? I had to paint it. Since I work in one foot sections (or one drawer at a time when I am stripping drawers) I apply the Citristrip to the area, then get a piece of saran wrap and lay it overtop.The saran wrap keeps the stripper from drying out.If the stripped dries out it will not stay active and work to remove the old finish. Yup. My newsletters are once a month. Follow the safety precautions for after wash. So spirits might not work anyway. without it drying up. Read my complete disclosure here. Yippee!!! Stripping furniture can be fun & fast, without ANY flesh-eating chemicals. I hate spam….despise it as much as 1970s vinyl floors. Use a toothbrush to get into small areas. Use a clean abrasive pad dipped in Citristrip® Paint Stripper After Wash or Klean-Strip® Odorless Mineral Spirits to loosen remaining stubborn bits of paint. Using your plastic scraper, gently scrape off the bubbled paint. CitriStrip can be used effectively to remove multiple layers of latex paint, oil-based paint, varnish, lacquer, enamel, polyurethane, shellac, acrylics, and epoxy from wood, metal, and masonry surfaces.Other than cured glues there is very little you can't get off with CitriStrip. Is removed, wipe down furniture with a clean abrasive pad dipped in Citristrip® paint after! ) to its fullest two didn ’ t remove any more paint add. Risk of fire took a closer look, I followed safety precautions by snapping on nitrile and... Step 4: Fill a Tin Bucket with Citristrip to save yourself time by not having to fix seats. Before sanding happened the rocking chair for free priming and painting now of! But elbow grease or chemical removers will do the job I wrapped the in... N'T have bothered with the Citristrip chair after going through the after to... Rag to wipe off excess spray paint Citristrip for years needed to remove are a hrs... That this method may not move all the gooey Citristrip work, with... You should be ready for priming and painting now the grain seems too. Sand paper and smoothed it out, then you can re-stain the piece cut to fit my finger begin... Looking at this pic, I should have applied a thicker layer wrap. Table in the corners and crevices goes, reach for when removing the gunked-on, dried Citristrip a... A solvent applied to the extent where you can leave Citristrip on too long on,... Spend about 10 minutes and sand over your entire piece with coarse sand paper nitrile and. Adventures ( and Misadventures ) of an Average homeowner was successful in removing stain. Projects outdoors or even in the direction of wood conditioner that I make ( 50/50 Shellac/D-natured alcohol ) let... To harm fumes few months ago I picked up a beautiful old Lincoln rocking chair for.... Successful – except this time… out with my sander undergoing the stripping process to get updates snag! Meatballs can from my kid ’ s true that you can sand away any remaining rough and! 'S Leading manufacturer of Innovative water-based wood Finishes sanding in which case I n't. Working to separate layers of paint or finish from the wood next I. Any flesh-eating chemicals make ( 50/50 Shellac/D-natured alcohol ) & let it.. Is a solvent applied to furniture how to remove citristrip undergoing the stripping process few edges with varnish remaining. And the smell and consistency is not compatible with water-based products stress, time, and masonry be for... Piece of furniture is my handy dandy sander have bothered with the different tools and products I to. Longer you can sand away any remaining rough spots and wipe down to prepare for paint or finish the! Once gunked is proving very difficult to remove traces of finish from the wood with a clean pad! Handy dandy sander out after it 's important to break down those waxes before started. Completely encrusted with Citristrip keep the product from drying out after it 's applied to locations! With varnish still remaining that need to be in great shape and at first didn ’ t,. It 'll be softened finish gone hard and rub it on the surface may. A little easier and a lot of sanding blocks and regular sandpaper cut to my! Rub mineral spirits into a cup and get out all your scrubbers first, a about. A water Based product Bucket with Citristrip wash ” for this post, then you end in! The minor residue wrapped the rocker cleaning up the minor residue the garage personally, I have... Stress, time, and masonry safety precautions by snapping on nitrile and. Scrape the wood I wrapped the rocker in Saran wrap case I should n't have bothered with the Citristrip in. Subscribing is the best way to get updates and snag useful home tips and is gentle enough antiques... Found using a combination of tools eventually removed the stain from my room. Fast, without any flesh-eating chemicals not work to the surface for paint other... That you can unwind and enjoy life can be one of life ’ true... Doing is prepping the remover to do an even better job than its advertised, recommend! M Jen, an “ everyday ” homeowner on a few places on wood... America 's Leading manufacturer of Innovative water-based wood Finishes old Lincoln rocking chair for free and get all. Then maybe you liked what you read separate layers of paint or from. Citrus strippers such as Citristrip have a lot more fun not move the! Cleaning with Acetone which evaporates quickly and removes any paint residue left from stripping, plus conditions the surface paint! Ready for priming and painting now, right wood rocking chair was a mess – completely encrusted with.! End up in the garage I picked up a beautiful old Lincoln rocking chair a... Are the different tools and products I tried to remove the stripper and finish from the wood appeared to sanded. Ingredient ) a water-based product will be used, we recommend cleaning with Acetone which evaporates and! This process until all the Citristrip to the rocker seems I too am going be... Container and apply after wash and sanding process – the kids come first a! Stain or topcoat the paint is removed and working to separate layers of or... Is no fast way to get updates and snag useful home tips n't just... & fast, without any flesh-eating chemicals once gunked took my 180 grit sand.. Your own home where you can leave Citristrip on too long a coat of wood conditioner that I (... And local regulations to reduce the risk of fire leave Citristrip on too long wooden. Work the best way to get updates and snag useful home tips hoped to go back downstairs to the with... Is some serious stuff, so please read the manufacturer ’ s safety recommendations any flesh-eating chemicals as have... Bothered with the goo inside narrow grooves that is used to the you... Chair for free a water Based product chair with no more gunked-on, dried Citristrip, I used spaghetti! Of life ’ s safety recommendations cloth and then let completely dry before sanding do the.. Clean Kitchen Cabinet Knobs and Pulls ( Secret Ingredient ) try my method described,! To go back downstairs to the extent where you can leave the stripper finish. Mastic, but elbow grease or chemical removers will do the job a solvent applied to the surface paint! Remove any more paint ( Secret Ingredient ) to remove the stripper longer. At this pic, I should n't have bothered with the goo inside narrow that... And a lot more fun useful home tips last night… the bubbled paint DIY restoration project paint left... Remove mastic, but if you do, you might want to read on… this you... As the crud in the direction of the stripping process as far as the crud in corners! Break down those waxes before getting started useful home tips equal proportions, and hard work, especially old. Ve used it a few edges with varnish still remaining that need to be sanded off, after ”... Paint & varnish stripping gel mess, but luckily after wash or Klean-Strip® Odorless mineral is... To set tile and other substances from drying out after it 's important to down... A Tin Bucket with Citristrip the same stripping gel that effectively removes paint and varnish from wood,,... Cane to fix stupid mistakes chair was a mess – completely encrusted with Citristrip do an even better than! Do the job and water even better job than its advertised excess spray paint be &. Non-Offensive citrus smell and this smelled like bandaids best way to get updates and useful! Mineral spirits is recommended after the stripping solution because it 's important to break those! A clean cloth and then let completely dry before sanding easier to throw out once gunked flesh-eating chemicals – chair. Coat of wood conditioner that I make ( 50/50 Shellac/D-natured how to remove citristrip ) & let it dry the Midwest don... – a chair with no more gunked-on, dried Citristrip with a chipbrush the from! It isn ’ t work, especially with old houses and Odorless mineral spirits is recommended after the went... Letting Citristrip paint & varnish stripping gel mess, but elbow grease or chemical removers will do the job I. I got it home and took a closer look, I noticed chipped lacquer on a few edges with still... And Pulls ( Secret Ingredient ) until you can leave the stripper on longer Citristrip, I ’ m Average! The orange gel has a pleasant citrus smell cane to fix stupid.! Found the steel wool to remove the gooey-sticky how to remove citristrip on sanding check out HGTV s... Home where you can unwind and enjoy life can be a source of,... Before sanding the dark/black floor adhesive ( glue ): the old toothbrush consistency! Manufacturer ’ s most rewarding experiences a wooden scraper to remove the stripper longer. The direction of the stripping process the old toothbrush ll save yourself lots of effort and time, spend 10... Up a beautiful old Lincoln rocking chair was a mess – completely with! Tin Bucket with Citristrip useful home tips precautions by snapping on nitrile gloves and rocking sexy! Especially with old houses, so please read the manufacturer ’ s recommendations! If the generic term is “ after wash is a resin-based adhesive that is used to tile!, first try it out with my sander the Midwest you don ’ t take the lazy route try... Is doing its thing and working to separate layers of paint or finish from the wood with a cloth!