Strip Oil-Base Stain
Josh Richards • Dec 08, 2022
How to Strip Oil-based Stain
If you’re planning to re-stain the wood, you must remove the old stain, unless its oil base. With oil base stain you can stain right over the old stain as long as its the same stain. all you have to do is clean the wood with a pressure wash and a light cleaner to remove mold and mildew. Removing or stripping can have similar steps to preparing the wood for staining and staining the wood.
Today, we will guide you on removing an oil-based stain from the wood. We recently had a job to remove the stain from an old deck. We will take that case as an example and make it suitable for any outdoor wood project.
Let’s get started!
Stripping Oil-based Stain Off from Exterior Wood
The deck we did last time was about five years old with about two and a half years old oil-based stain. The stain was already coming off the wood, and there were no sealing properties left on the wood. We did light to medium strips.
It wasn’t a tough job. Anyone with the right tools and supplies can do the job. Ensure you do it properly, so you don’t miss any part.
We have divided the stain stripping process into small steps:
Step#01 - Gather tools, supplies, and protective gear
Here is the list of tools, supplies, and safety gear you need for the job:
Step#02 - Do the job on a dry, sunny day
Just like we suggest staining the wood on a perfect day, we recommend the same for stain stripping. Choose a sunny day, not too warm. The wood requires drying time before you stain it. So better to do the job in appropriate weather conditions.
Step#03 - Protect nearby items and cover yourself
Remove any furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) from the station. Cover nearby plants with a drop cloth. Water the plants before covering.
Use a tarp to protect the lawn, concrete, walls, etc., with a tarp.
Wood strippers or stain strippers contain harsh chemicals that can harm your health. Wear your protective gear to stay safe from these harmful chemicals.
Mask the house or anything else you don't want to strip. The chemicals can get very hot and are dangerous.
Step#04 - Inspect the wood
It is always better to inspect the wood for problems like holes, broken slabs, nails coming out, etc. Fix all the issues before starting the job. Replacing rotten or broken wood pieces is complicated. Consider hiring an expert, or be sure to do it right.
Step#05 - Clean the wood
Clean the wood with a broom or cleaning brush. Remove dirt and dust from the board, including the gaps between the board and its edges.
Step#06 - Wet the wood
Once the stage is ready to start the main job, start wetting the wood. Do a fine mist with a power washer. If you are stain stripping an oil-based content from the fence, you may use a damp cloth. You may also use soapy water to clean the wood.
Run a wire brush to get rid of debris not coming off with the washer. Do it with light pressure. Otherwise, you may leave behind marks.
Step#07 - Apply wood stripper
Some strippers do not require preparation. You can apply such strippers directly to the wood. The stripper we used requires mixing with water. Follow these steps if you are using a product like ours:
Stain strippers can be extremely dangerous. Stay safe while working with such content. Not to mention, these products are usually for wood. If it interacts with other nearby things, it may also ruin it. Make sure it touches nothing but the wood.
Pro Tip: Use the bottom of your shoe to see if the stripper is ready to take off. Once it is in that spot check the rest of the deck to make sure its all ready to be stripped.
Step#08 - Rinse with water
When pressure washing, use a soft tip(white tip). Start rinsing the pieces closer to the wall, going full length, from one board to the other.
Step#9 - Apply wood brightener
After rinsing the board, it is time to apply wood brightener:
Step#10 - Wash away the brightener
Repeat the rinsing process by power washing with a soft tip. Once the board is all cleared out, you will see if the board needs further cleaning/stripping or not.
Step#12 - Sand the surface
Once you have washed away the old stain, you may want to sand off the wood. Wait till the wood is dried out before sanding. We recommend you sanding just before staining. Use medium-grit sandpaper (80 grit) to get the desired look. Remember not to over sand because it'll close the pores if you sand to much. Then you can stain it to get the best protection from outdoor enemies and give it a new look.
Call for Expert’s Opinion
Stain stripping can be done without an expert’s help. But we highly suggest hiring an expert. We at Precision Staining LLC are wood staining experts. We always have the right tools and know all about the job. Call us for more details.
FAQs
Is it necessary to strip the old stain from the wood before applying the new stain layer?
Yes, it is necessary to remove the old stain if its water base stain. With oil base stain all you have to do is do a light cleaning to remove organic growth.
Can I skip the sanding?
Sanding is not always required. We only suggest it when the old layer is not coming off, or you do not get an even and smooth surface for staining.
Do I need to prepare the wood after stripping?
Once you have stripped the stain, you do not need to go further with cleaning except to neutralize the stripper with a wood brightener. The wood brightener neutralizes the stripper chemical and opens up the pores letting it except more stain.