How to Remove Old Stain from Wood Windows
Wood around windows is often exposed to sunlight and moisture, causing stains and finishes to fade or flake off and become unsightly. With the exception of products made with penetrating oil, homeowners must remove stains and finishes before painting the window or applying new stain. Since finish is typically applied after stain, you must remove the finish before accessing the stain underneath.
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Things You'll Need
- 100-grit sanding disc
- Sander
- 100-grit sandpaper
- Painter's tape
- Newspaper
- Denatured alcohol
- Lacquer thinner
- Scraper
- Progressively finer sandpaper
Instructions
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1
Wash the wood surface with soap and water to eliminate dirt and grease. Allow the surface to dry thoroughly before sanding.
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2
Sand flat surfaces smooth with a sander and 100-grit sanding disc. If the finish and stain are old and worn, they may come off with sanding alone.
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3
Hand-sand hard-to-reach places such as corners with a piece of 100-grit sandpaper. If there is any finish remaining, you can remove it with denatured alcohol or a commercial lacquer remover. If all the finish comes off with sanding alone, skip to step 7 for instructions on how to remove remaining stain.
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4
Apply painter's tape around the window frame to prevent paint-removal products from getting on the wall. Line the floor below with newspaper.
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5
Wipe denatured alcohol on surfaces finished with shellac. Leave the alcohol in place for half an hour, scrape off the shellac and rinse the surface clean.
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6
Remove lacquer or varnish with a commercial lacquer thinner. Follow the directions on the package to determine how much to apply and how long to leave it on the wood. Scrape off the finish with a scraper and rinse the surface clean. Allow the surface to dry thoroughly before proceeding.
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7
Sand off any remaining stain with sandpaper, using a machine sander on flat surfaces and hand-sanding curved and ridged areas and corners. Start with coarse 100-grit sandpaper and work up to finer and finer grits to remove the stain and buff the wood to a smooth finish.
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Tips & Warnings
Always work in a well-ventilated area when using solvents.
