How to Remove Latex Paint From Wood? (Explained!)

Latex is a water-based paint that dries fast, so if you spill it on your wood or floor, you must remove it immediately. So, how to remove it?

To remove fresh latex paint from the wood, wash the stained spot with soapy water. To remove dried (old) latex paint, dissolve the paint with rubbing alcohol and wipe it off. 

Alcohol is a natural paint remover and will dissolve the particles of the paint, causing the coating to liquefy. You can also use a paint stripper to remove multiple coats of paint. 

Things To Know

You can remove latex paint without damaging the wood. That’s because latex paint is water-soluble and can get washed off from different products that don’t harm the wood. If the paint is still fresh, you can wipe it off with water. 

To prevent wood damage, use homemade paint removers, such as dish soap, vinegar, or baking soda. These paint removers will dissolve the latex paint but won’t affect wood.

Optionally, you can also sand the paint off using medium-grit sandpaper. Sanding will remove the paint, but also remove the imperfections and bumps from the wood.

Avoid using harsh paint removers as they can damage or discolor the wood.

How To Remove Latex Paint From Wood?

The method you use to remove latex depends on how much paint you want to remove. Here are the top 3 methods:

1. Use soap or acetone.
2. Sand it off.
3. Use a paint stripper.

This guide will show you how each method works and when to use them.

1. Use Soap or Acetone

For small latex paint stains, use a soap mixture or acetone. Acetone is a paint remover and will remove all water-based paints, including latex. A soap mixture works for small and wet paint stains.

The idea is to apply the soap mixture (or acetone) over the paint, let it dissolve, and wipe it off with a microfiber cloth. 

For this method, you’ll need these:

• Dish soap
• A bucket of water
• Microfiber cloth or a soft sponge
• Clean rags
• A bottle of acetone
• A clean bowl

Here is a guide for this method:

1. Inspect the finish to see if it’s wet or dry.
2. For wet paint stain, apply soap mixture over it.
3. For dry paint, apply acetone over it.
4. Wait a few minutes (5-10).
5. Use a microfiber cloth or soft sponge to scrub the paint off. 
6. Clean the wood with a dampened rag and leave it to dry. 

Here’s a list of other products that can dissolve latex paint.

2. Sand it Off

Sanding will remove multiple coats of paint and smooth the wood simultaneously. To remove paint, use medium or coarse-grit sandpaper. Avoid using fine-grit sandpaper, as it’s not strong enough to remove paint.

Sanding works by using the abrasive side of the sandpaper to gradually wear the latex paint off the wood. While doing this, the imperfections and gouges will also get removed from the wood. 

For this method, you’ll need these:

• Sandpaper or sanding block (120-grit to 220-grit)
• A pair of gloves
• Rags
• A power sander (optional)
• A vacuum or duster

Here’s a step-by-step guide to this:

1. Wipe and clean the surface to remove dust. 
2. Sand the wood with 150-grit sandpaper. 
3. Inspect the surface every 5 minutes to see if the paint is removed.
4. After sanding, remove the dust and sand again with 180-grit sandpaper. 
5. Remove dust.
6. Finish up with 220-grit sandpaper and clean the wood. 

3. Use a Paint Stripper

A paint stripper is strong enough to remove multiple coats of dried (cured) latex paint. The paint stripper will dissolve the particles and liquefy the paint, making it easier to wipe or scrape it off.

For this method, you’ll need these:

• A paint stripper
• A paintbrush
• Plastic putty knife
• Rags
• Mineral spirits
• Sandpaper

Here’s a step-by-step guide to this:

1. Remove dust from the surface that can prevent the paint stripper effect. 
2. Apply two coats of paint stripper using a paintbrush or putty knife.
3. Wait 30 minutes.
4. Scrape the paint stripper off the surface (the latex paint will come off too).
5. Re-apply the stripping compound over the leftover paint.
6. Wipe the wood with mineral spirits. 
7. Remove the residue of the mineral spirit with water. 
8. Allow the wood to dry before sanding it with 220-grit sandpaper. 

Removing Latex Paint From Hardwood Floor

Removing latex paint from a hardwood floor is harder because the surface is larger, and you can accidentally remove its finish. If you remove the hardwood finish, you must re-apply it or replace the plank with a new one. This will be time-consuming and expensive.

Here are two methods you can use:

1. Use a random orbital sander
2. Use a homemade mix

1. Use a Power Sander

The best and safest way to remove paint is by sanding it off. But, since the hardwood floor is larger, you can’t manually sand it, so you must use a power sander. 

However, the hardwood floor must be at least 0.75-inches thick to sand it. If it isn’t, a power sander will cause damage to the thin floor, so you shouldn’t do it. If that’s the case, use the #2 method.

Here are the tools you need:

• A random orbital sander
• A mop
• 120-grit to 220-grit sandpaper
• A floor buffer
• A vacuum
• Hardwood floor polish

Here’s a step-by-step guide to this:

1. Mop the floor to remove loose particles, debris, and dust.
2. Attach 80-grit sandpaper to the bottom of the random orbital sander. 
3. Move the power sander over the paint and sand gently — don’t apply pressure.
4. Replace the sandpaper with 120-grit sandpaper and continue until you reach 220-grit. 
5. Inspect the floor to see if the paint is removed.
6. If it is removed, remove the dust with a vacuum.
7. If there’s still paint on the floor, sand it again.

2. Use Homemade Mix

You can use a homemade mix to remove paint from a floor. Here are the most common homemade solutions:

1. Baking soda and dishwashing detergent.
2. Rubbing alcohol.
3. Vinegar mix and salt.
4. Rubbing alcohol and lemon juice.

Here is a guide for this method:

1. Damp a rag with the homemade mixture.
2. Use the dampened rag to wipe the affected surface.
3. Wait 10 minutes.
4. The homemade mix will dissolve the latex paint.
5. Wipe the paint off with a soft microfiber cloth or mop.

Note: This method works for wet latex paint too.

Other Products To Use:

1. Paint Thinner – Paint thinner contains active solvents such as alcohol and methylene chlorine that can remove latex paint. However, don’t leave the paint thinner on the wood for more than 10 minutes, as it can damage it. It’s recommended to use it only when removing multiple coats of paint.
2. Vinegar – Vinegar will remove fresh paint from wood but won’t remove multiple dry coats. It can only soften dried paint, making it easier to scrape it off.
3. Baking Soda – Baking soda is an absorbent and can absorb wet or fresh latex paint from a surface. However, it can’t remove dry paint.
4. Rubbing Alcohol – Rubbing alcohol is a natural-paint solvent that will remove multiple coats of water-based paint.
5. Mineral Spirits – You can use mineral spirits to remove small latex paints on wood. But, you can’t use it to remove multiple coats of paint. 

Final Words

In summary, removing latex paint is easy because the paint is water-soluble and will get washed off. You can use alcohol-based solvents or acetone to dissolve and remove it. If the paint is still wet, you can use a soap mixture to wash it off.