How to Use Paint Stripper

Decide which type of stripper you want to use: Liquid stripper will run on vertical surfaces; paste stripper needs to be kept moist; gel stripper costs a little bit more. (See Related eHows.)

Put down a thick layer of newspaper in a well-ventilated work area.

Apply stripper with a clean rag or follow the manufacturer's directions for application.

Put a liberal coat on the workpiece, making sure to get it into corners, cracks and crevices.

Check liquid and gel stripper progress after 10 to 15 minutes by scraping a small area with a paint scraper. If the paint is softened all the way down to bare wood, the stripper is done. If not, put more stripper on the scraped area and wait 5 more minutes.

Let paste stripper sit for a few hours (follow manufacturer's recommendation) after covering it with a sheet of plastic to keep it moist. Use a paint scraper to remove the loosened paint once the stripper has done its job.

Rub paint out of crevices and deep ornamentation with steel wool.

Clean off leftovers - rubbing with the grain - with a ball of steel wool dipped in stripper.

Rinse the workpiece with water or turpentine (read the stripper label).

Let the workpiece dry completely before you prime and finish.