WHAT YOU'LL NEED

How Much Stripper to Buy

The amount of paint remover you will need depends on what you are stripping and how many coats of old surface must be removed. In general one gallon of remover will strip 75 to 100 square feet. A chair or small end table with a clear finish on it will require about one quart. A dining room table with a clear finish will probably require two quarts. Try to buy only what you will use to avoid storing paint-removing chemicals in the home.

Materials To Do The Job

• Paint Brush. An old, wide one will do. Natural-bristle will last longer than synthetic.

• Scraper. A dull, flexible-blade putty knife is best. If necessary, dull the cutting edge and corners of the blade with a metal file; otherwise, you might gouge the wood.

• Toothbrush, ice pick, cotton swabs. Handy for getting into tiny crevices or intricate designs in the wood.

• Steel Wool pads (#2). Helpful for removing the stripper or old finish from pores in open-grained woods such as walnut, oak, or mahogany. Also, can be used to prepare the surface for a new finish.

• Metal cans. (eg. large coffee cans) Good for holding the paint remover while work is in process, and for collecting the waste (sludge) when the work is done. Make sure the container you use has a securely fitting lid.

• Burlap, twine, or coarse string. Handy for removing paint from leg turnings (using shoe shine or back-and-forth rubbing motion).

• Stiff-bristle scrub brush. Useful for removing the old paint from places inaccessible to a scraper.

• Disposable pie pans or some other suitable container. Place under the legs of the furniture to catch drippings.

• Dropcloth, newspapers, cardboard, and old rags. To catch drippings and sludge to protect the surface underneath the work. Paint removers can damage linoleum, asphalt, plastic, and vinyl.

Protective Equipment

• Safety goggles. To completely cover and protect the eyes.

• Rubber gloves. Not the dish-washing kind. Should be chemical-resistant, such as neoprene or butyl.

• Clothing that covers all skin. Long-sleeved shirts, pants, socks, and shoes. If working at eye-level or above, wear a cap or hat.

What Is Paint Remover, Setting Up Your Work Site

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[ WHAT IS PAINT REMOVER? ] [ WHAT YOU'LL NEED ] [ SETTING UP YOUR WORK SITE ] [ THE PROCEDURE ] [ CLEANUP AND DISPOSAL ] [ SAFETY TIPS ]