How to Remove Paint From a Baseboard

Do not use a metal putty knife or you may leave abrasion scars.

If you need to remove paint from a baseboard in your home, employ a specific removal strategy based on the condition of the surface. If the baseboard is marred with paint splatters or drips, you can clean the surface, using a simple substance from your household. If the baseboard is finished with a full coat of paint and you'd like to strip it bare, you'll need to employ a stripping solvent. Take the appropriate safety precautions before you begin work or you could damage surrounding surfaces and risk unforeseen injuries.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic putty knife
• 80-grit sandpaper
• Respirator
• Professional painter's tape
• Plastic drop cloths
• Paint stripping solvent
• 3- to 4-inch oil paintbrush
• Olive oil
• Shop rags
• Terrycloth
• Mineral spirits

Instructions

Stripping Paint

1. Scrape large strips of failing paint from the baseboard, using a plastic putty knife. Sand stubborn particles of paint from the baseboard, using 80-grit sandpaper.

2. Put on your respirator.

3. Tape plastic drop cloths to the floor beneath the baseboard, using painter's tape.

4. Apply the stripping solvent to a 3-foot-wide portion of the baseboard, using a paintbrush, made for use with oil-based paints.

5. Wait 60 seconds. Remove the remaining latex paint, using sandpaper and the plastic putty knife. Continue until the baseboard is bare.

6. Wait approximately 10 to 20 minutes for the solvent to evaporate.

Removing Paint Drips

1. Dampen a shop rag with four to six drops of olive oil.

2. Use the damp rag to apply olive oil to the paint drips and splatters, effectively lubricating the baseboard to prevent abrasion scars.

3. Cover the broad scraping end of your plastic putty knife with a soft terrycloth.

4. Use the putty knife to scrape the paint from the baseboard, using the terrycloth as a buffer between the baseboard and the scraper.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not smoke while working with flammable paint stripping solvents. Stripping solvents emit noxious fumes. Always wear a respirator when working indoors.