How to Remove Wood Stain From Wood? (3 Methods)

Wood stain penetrates the wood pores (or grain) deeply when applied, so it’s hard to remove it. So, how to remove wood stain from wood?

To remove wood stain from wood, use sandpaper, a wood stain stripper, or paint thinner. You can re-stain the surface within 30 minutes if you remove the old coating using sandpaper.

Sanding is the best way to remove it as it also preps the surface by removing imperfections and making it ready for the next finish. Wood stain stripper is also effective, but it doesn’t remove imperfections or smooth out the surface.

Can You Remove Wood Stain From Wood Without Sanding?

You can remove wood stain from wood without sanding. Instead of sanding, you can use a paint stripper directly on the surface, wait a few minutes, and scrape the stain off.

A paint stripper is a solvent-based product that penetrates the wood grain (or pores) and dissolves the particles of the stain. Once the particles are dissolved, the coating will liquefy and peel off.

But, sanding is the best way to remove wood stain because it will also smooth the surface, remove imperfections, and make the surface ready for painting at the same time.

On the other hand, a paint stripper doesn’t smooth the surface, remove imperfections, or make the surface ready for paint. The plastic scraper (that you use to scrape the stain off) will damage the wood surface. So, after using a paint stripper, you must sand lightly sand the surface anyway.

Also, some solvent-based removers can discolor or damage particular wood types.

How To Remove Wood Stain From Wood?

To remove wood stain from wood, do the following things.

1. Sand it off.
2. Use a Wood Stain Stripper.
3. Use Paint thinner.
4. Use Acetone.
5. Apply Paint Remover.
6. Use Vinegar.
7. Power Washing.
8. Use Citristrip
9. Use Mineral Spirits.

1. Use a Sandpaper

The best and most effective way of removing a wood stain is by sanding it off. Sanding will remove the stain and smooth out the wood by removing imperfections. For this method, the sandpaper will sand the wood repeatedly until the stain is off.

The tools you need:

• Sandpaper (coarse-grit)
• A duster or vacuum
• A pair of gloves and a face mask
• Orbital sander (for large wooden surfaces and floors)

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Clean the surface to remove dust and dirt. For floors, use a vacuum and mop the floor.
2. Attach coarse-grit sandpaper to a power sander. For small surfaces, you can manually sand it off. For floors, use a floor sander.
3. Sand the surface repeatedly until the stain wears off.
4. Remove the dust and let the wood settle.

2. Use a Wood Stain Stripper

Wood stain strippers are active ingredients that dissolve the stain and break down the bond between the coating and the surface. This causes the finish to swell and come off.

Tools you need:

• Paint stripper
• Paint scraper
• Clean rags
• Paintbrushes
• Plastic bag

Step-by-step guide:

1. Clean the surface to remove dirt and debris.
2. Apply the stain stripper over the wood using a paintbrush or paint scraper.
3. Wait a few minutes for the stripping compound to dissolve the finish.
4. When the finish starts to bubble, scrape it off using a plastic paint scraper.
5. Re-apply the stripping paste to the leftover.
6. Remove the leftover paint stripper by applying mineral spirits over it.
7. Clean the wood with water and leave it to dry.

3. Use Paint thinner

Paint thinners are a mixture of paint-removing chemicals and solvents. Paint thinners are designed to dissolve all paints, including stain.

Tools you need:

• Paint thinner
• A pair of gloves
• Clean bucket
• Paint scraper
• Microfiber cloth
• Mineral spirits
• A clean rag

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Damp a rag with paint thinner.
2. Use the dampened rag to wipe the surface
3. Wait 10-15 minutes.
4. When the finish starts to bubble and tear, scrape it off.
5. Re-apply paint thinner to the leftover.
6. Remove the paint-thinner residue using mineral spirits.
7. Clean the wood with clean water and leave it to dry.

4. Use Acetone

You can use acetone to remove wood stains, but acetone isn’t as effective as the other products. That’s because acetone can’t penetrate a surface too deep, so it won’t remove the entire finish.

5. Apply Paint Remover

You can use paint remover to remove a stain finish, but you must use one designed for stain removal. Also, you must read the manufacturer’s instructions to know if you can use the paint remover on wood.

6. Use Vinegar

The vinegar solution is strong enough to remove a wood stain finish. But, you shouldn’t leave it on wood for too long as it can damage or discolor it.

To use vinegar, damp a rag with vinegar and use the dampened rag to wipe the surface. The vinegar-soaked rag will dissolve the stain from the surface.

7. Power Washing

Power washing will remove a stain finish, but will damage the wood. That’s because the pressure from the power washer can break wood, especially furniture.

8. Use Citristrip

Citristrip is an industrial cleaning solvent that will remove stain. Also, Citristrip doesn’t contain any caustic agent that can damage the wood.

9. Use Mineral Spirits

Mineral spirits can remove the wood stain on the top layer, but won’t remove the coating that has penetrated the grain. The same goes for turpentine.

You can use mineral spirits if you want to fade the finish before paint application. By fading the finish (or removing the top layer), the new paint will stick over it. The stain left on the wood will fill the pores and make the it water-resistant.

Which Products Don’t Remove Wood Stain?

Products that don’t remove wood stain are listed below.

1. White Spirits

White spirits won’t remove wood stain. That’s because white spirit is a petroleum-distilled solvent designed for clean-up and grease removal.

2. Bleach

You shouldn’t use bleach on wood because it will discolor and damage the surface. Using bleach will make the wood unpaintable because stain and paint won’t stick to a bleached surface.

How Long To Wait Before Re-staining Wood?

You must wait 12 hours before re-staining wood. This gives the surface enough time to dry and settle after using a solvent-based remover.

If you re-stain the surface too soon, the solvent residue on the surface will repel the new paint (or wood stain) and leave behind an amateurish finish.

You can re-stain wood within 30 minutes if you remove the wood stain by sanding. That’s because sanding doesn’t dampen the surface, removes imperfections, and makes it ready for the next paint.