It’s time to give your deck a new look – you know it!
And the best way to do this is to repaint it in a fresh color which is attractive and durable.
But Wait!
Before you go shopping for new paint, let me remind you about getting rid of the previous strain first. You cannot get the desired look at your deck if you don’t remove the paint from your wooden deck before applying the next coat.
You’ll need the best paint remover for wood deck you can find.
But which paint remover will express the love you have for your wooden deck?
Take a look at our deck paint remover reviews to help you decide.
Let’s Dive in
Best Paint Remover for Wood Deck 2021:
Here are our picks for the top paint remover for wood deck.
Paint Remover | Woody Rating |
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Stripper | 10/10 [Editor’s Choice] |
DEFY Exterior Stain Stripper | 8.5/10 |
#1 Deck Stain Stripper | 7.5/10 |
MAX Strip Paint Stripper | 7/10 |
Dumond Chemicals, Inc. 3332 | 8/10 |
Citristrip QCSG801 | 7/10 |
Woodrich Wood Stripper | 7/10 |
Sunnyside 65732A | 7.5/10 |
Woodrich Cleaner and mild stripper | 7/10 |
DeckGeneral 4021 | 6.5/10 |
Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain Stripper
[Editor’s Choice]
Why We Love It:
- Best for exterior surfaces
- Restores old wood surfaces
- Works well on stained wooden decks
- Produces 5 liquid gallons of paint remover
Pros | Cons |
✅ Eco-friendly formula | ❌ none |
✅ Restores natural look | |
✅ Extremely cheap | |
✅ Wide coverage | |
✅ Easy to apply |
DEFY Exterior Wood Stain Stripper
Why We Love It:
- Reliable brand
- Comes ready to use
- Treats tough strains
Pros | Cons |
✅ Easy to apply | ❌ Not for solid stains |
✅ Restores wood | |
✅ Budget-friendly | |
✅ Optimal results |
Also check our list for the best wood preservatives.
#1 Deck Wood Stain Stripper
Why We Love It:
- Reliable brand
- Comes ready to use
- Great at removing penetrating strains
Pros | Cons |
✅ Restores natural look | ❌ Can be costly |
✅ Improves adhesion | |
✅ Efficient |
MAX Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper 1 Gallon
Why We Love It:
- Tackles tough stains
- Works well on multiple surfaces
- Free of Methylene Chloride and NMP
Pros | Cons |
✅ Multipurpose | ❌ Takes time to work |
✅ Gentle for wood | |
✅ Can be used indoor |
Don’t miss our picks for the best exterior paints for wood siding.
Dumond Chemicals, Inc. 3332 Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover
Why We Love It:
- Biodegradable formula
- Free of methylene chloride
Pros | Cons |
✅ Safe for health | ❌ Costly |
✅ Odor-less | |
✅ Removes multiple layers |
Learn more with our detailed guide to wood paint.
Woodrich Heavy Duty Wood Stripper & Wood Cleaner for Wood Decks
Why We Love It:
- Available in different sizes
- Work against multiple coats
Pros | Cons |
✅ Budget-friendly | ❌ Requires careful handling |
✅ Removes solid stains | |
✅ Easy to apply |
You might also like our picks for the best paint for wooden floors.
Citristrip QCSG801 Paint and Varnish Stripping Gel
Why We Love It:
- Multipurpose
- Free of toxic fumes
- One-step application
Pros | Cons |
✅ Eco-friendly | ❌ Apply multiple times |
✅ Non-caustic | |
✅ Usable on multiple surfaces |
Sunnyside 65732A Multi-Strip ADVANCED Paint & Varnish Remover
Why We Love It:
- Can tackle up to 15 layers of coat
- Free of methylene chloride and NMP
- Suitable for both interior and exterior surfaces
Pros | Cons |
✅ Adheres to vertical surfaces | ❌ Needs extra care to get done |
✅ Low odor | |
✅ Eco-friendly |
Woodrich Cleaner – Wood Cleaner & Mild Stripper
Why We Love It:
- Budget-friendly
- Applicable on both new and weathered wood
- Protects wood’s natural sugars
Pros | Cons |
✅ Removes mill scale | ❌ Works against limited stains |
✅ Bio-friendly | |
✅ Gets rid of mildew |
DeckGeneral Deck Stripper 4021
Why We Love It:
- Environment friendly
- Tackles various stains
Pros | Cons |
✅ Restores wood | ❌ Extremely corrosive |
✅ Biodegradable formula | |
✅ Low VOC |
Best Paint Remover for Wood Deck – Buying Guide
When you plan to renovate your deck, you know that you are up for a challenge. There are several steps in the process that have to be followed for the best results. And you know that these steps will take days to complete. Sometimes, you question if it is worthwhile to change the stain or color of your deck.
All you want to do in such situations is to apply a new coat over the old varnish after cleaning the debris. But then you think about the refreshed look your deck with the present with the new color you have planned for it. This thought urges you to take up the challenge and get started.
Let’s see some common questions you would have while you are trying to figure out the whole ordeal.
How Do You Get Paint off a Wood Deck?
The method is simple and includes four steps of preparing, applying, rinsing and neutralizing, and preparing for a new finish.
The first step of preparing for stripping involves clearing the space and moving the furniture. Also, you have to wash and clean the surface to get rid of debris and mildew. You also get safety gear to protect yourself against fumes and chemicals.
In the second step, we apply the stripper using a brush or roller. You have to leave the solution (or gel) on from 15 minutes to 72 hours depending on the stripper you are using. There is no hard and fast rule and often the best deck paint stripper also asks for up to days of the sitting period. Next, you wash the stripper using a pressure washer or only scrap the residue.
The third step includes neutralizing the wood to prepare it for the brightening step.
The last step is about buying the new varnish and sanding the wood to prepare for the next coat.
What is the Best Paint Stripping Product for Wood?
The best deck paint remover is Citristrip. We love this stripping gel because of its eco-friendly formula and high-quality results.
There are a few features that we should consider while selecting the best paint remover for a wood deck. These features include ease of application and processing, environment-friendliness, and strength on different types of varnishes.
We can get a detailed analysis of our potential products by looking at deck paint remover reviews and finding the best match for the varnish we want removed.
What is the Fastest Way to Remove Paint from Wood?
There is no shortcut to removing paint from wood. You have to start by preparing the surface and move towards applying the stripper and then scrapping the residue off the surface.
Be ready! This task can be time-consuming.
If you are using a high-quality stripper, your labor input should decrease considerably. If you are working on new wood that can bear some pressure, you can increase your pace by using a pressure washer to clean the residue. However, beware that pressure washing can cause serious harm to weathered deck woods.
Can I Paint over Oil-based Paint?
The short answer is yes, you can coat water-based paint over a surface that was previously painted in oil. But you have to follow some steps to get lasting results.
Start with de-glossing the surface. You don’t want much oil on the surface because it will interfere with adhesion. Sanding should be first step towards getting a water-based coat.
Next, you have to use trisodium phosphate to get rid of debris. You can make a skin-friendly and surface-friendly solution by mixing one cup of TSP into a gallon of water. Use protective wear before applying.
After you have cleaned the surface, prime it. Use a couple of coats of water-based or oil-based primers according to the instructions.
The last step is applying the coat which should be at least two to support adhesion.
Can You Pressure Wash Stain off a Deck?
Yes, you can but should be wary of the damage it causes to the deck.
How Do You Remove Oil-Based Paint from Wood?
There are two most commonly followed methods to remove oil-based paint from wood. The first method includes the use of heat and the second method includes stripping chemicals.
In the first method, you use an infra-red paint stripper. Plug it in and scrape the surface keeping the stripper six inches away from the surface. Next, scrape the surface using a scraper or putty knife.
The second method uses a non-toxic strippers. Just like the best deck paint remover, Citristrip, you have to apply a coat on the surface using a brush or roller. Let it sit for up to 72 hours depending on the toughness of the stain. And then scrape it off. You can also use solution-based paint strippers to get this job done. Just be extra careful for your skin and eyes.
References:
Wood Finishing & Refinishing: Removing the Old Finish
- 9 Best Wood Laser Cutters 【Top Picks 2021】 - January 17, 2021
- 10 Best Paint Removers for Wood Deck 【Top Picks 2021】 - November 15, 2020
- 10 Best Exterior Paints for Wood Siding 【Best of 2021】 - November 14, 2020
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