# Removing wood finish **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 27, 2003, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-wood-finish/151293 "2003-01-27T18:38:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JeepGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e68b1a/32.png) [@JeepGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeepGirl)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-wood-finish/151293/1 "2003-01-27T18:38:28Z")
I want to paint over a pre stained and finished piece of furniture. I’d rather not have to sand it first. I was watching Trading Spaces a while ago and they had the same situation. They put some liquid on the piece that instantley disolved the finish. Does anyone know anything about such a product? I was going to just stop by Home Depot and see if they know. But, they get really snarky when you mention you “saw someone on Trading Spaces”. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-wood-finish/151293/2 "2003-01-27T18:49:50Z")
I like to use Zip-Strip if you can do it outside and/or tolerate the smell. It`s fairly quick and penetrating. I also will use 3M`s Safety Strip. It does not smell and you can use it in an enclosed room. It is sort of like a paste so it sticks to surfaces well, even on the bottom side. It works overnite and you should apply it several times that night so it doesn`t dry out by the next day. It comes off with water and a towel. I like the 3M stuff, but if your in a hurry then you can use the Zip-Strip. Get both and see which one you like better. If your going to paint it anyway, you should only need to sand off the high spots and blemishes without actually stripping the wood. Unless the varnish is really bad and you don`t think the paint will bond to it. PS- some of the stuff they do on Trading Spaces seems staged, so take it with a grain of salt. Good luck ---
**Author:** ![JeepGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e68b1a/32.png) [@JeepGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeepGirl)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-wood-finish/151293/3 "2003-01-27T18:55:22Z")
I absolutely agree with the “staged” aspect of Trading Spaces. But not being really handy and creative myself, it at least gives me something to go on. I would rather not “do” anything prior to painting, but from past experience, the paint doesn’t seem to adhere very will on an already finished piece. Thanks for the great advice, it sounds like the no wait, minimal effort Zip-Strip fits my personality best! ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-wood-finish/151293/4 "2003-01-27T19:22:28Z")
JeepGirl: If you saw it on Trading Spaces, they were supplied it by Lowes. I don’t know if you have a Lowes over there in Philly, but over this side of the Walt Whitman Bridge in Jersey, we have several. Maybe I’ll grab some for ya? Maybe the Home Depot crew doesn’t like Trading Spaces references because Lowes is the supplier of Trading Spaces products (paints, stains, etc) And why the heck was I watching Trading Spaces during the Superbowl!?!?!?! What’s up with that?! Hey, you wouldn’t happen to resemble Paige the hostess…would you??? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-wood-finish/151293/5 "2003-01-27T19:27:27Z")
She is a cutie!! ---
**Author:** ![Uncommon\_Sense](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-wood-finish/151293/6 "2003-01-27T19:33:58Z")
JEEPGIRL - you will need to lightly sand after you strip the wood. Some wood grains will be lifted out of the surface giving the wood a “hairy” texture. These may not be covered by the paint. It is really not a big deal, get some steel wool and give it a once over. You could get by with #000 steel wool. Since your painting the piece you need not worry about sanding with the grain or anything like that. Have fun!! ---
**Author:** ![El\_Zagna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@El\_Zagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Zagna)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-wood-finish/151293/7 "2003-01-27T19:39:15Z")
My guess is that they used a product called Liquid Sander. You wipe it on and it sort of roughs up the finish. After that you have a window of time to paint over it. If you are going to paint over it there is no point in stripping the finish first. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-wood-finish/151293/8 "2003-01-27T19:44:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JeepGirl \* > they get really snarky when you mention you “saw someone on Trading Spaces”. Yeah, like **Philster** says, _Trading Spaces_ is sponsored by Lowes. You should’ve told them you saw it on _While You Were Out_, which is sponsored by Home Depot. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JeepGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e68b1a/32.png) [@JeepGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeepGirl)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/removing-wood-finish/151293/9 "2003-01-27T20:53:52Z")
I get confused, there are so many of those home make-over shows out there. Even MTV jumped on the bandwagon- Crib Crashers. Now that I have some real product info, I’ll head on over to Home Depot. I actually like Lowes better, but the closest one is in Delaware. Thanks for all of the great information. I didn’t think anyone would read my post, let alone answer!