Learning how to remove primer from wood can help you get rid of an uneven paint job and reapply paint and primer to obtain an impeccable surface.
Nobody likes a wood piece that isn’t weathered correctly – it’s unattractive, and it will also make the rest of the house look ugly and lose its value.
Fortunately, this problem has a solution – you can get rid of the old primer if you have everything necessary for the process and follow some specific steps.
In this post, you’ll learn about the best way of removing primer from wood.
Tools You Need to Remove Paint Primer from Wood
- Biochemical paint stripper or heavy-duty solvent – Biochemical stripper tends to use plant-based ingredients for eroding primer, making it the safest option as it won’t damage the surface. A heavy-duty solvent is the best option for very old and thick primers because it’s a very strong formula.
- Clean cloth
- Rubber gloves
- Liquid cleaner
- Protective eyewear
- Dust mask
- Paintbrush
- Putty knife/Paint scraper – A putty knife is the right option when peeling off primer from wood.
- Water and vinegar – Water and vinegar are only needed as long as the stripper requires them, which is why you should read the label first to find this out.
- pH testing strip – pH testing strips are necessary when you neutralize a surface.
- Mineral spirits – You need water or mineral spirits in case you do not neutralize the surface and you need to clean it.
- Sandpaper – 220 grit sandpaper may be the right option for removing primer
- Sanding block
Materials For larger Surface Primer Removal, i.e., wood floor
- Floor sander- A Sander comes with large, circular discs that make primer removal easy.
- Shop vacuum – For cleaning leftover debris
How to Get Primer off Wood Step by Step
Before you begin, ensure the working area is well ventilated and large enough to maneuver around.
Step 1: Clean the Surface
The first thing to do is wash off the wood before you start removing primer paint. Next, use a liquid cleaner to get rid of dirt. Next, you can simply pour some dish soap drops into a bucket that you will then fill with warm water.
Afterward, you can wash off the primed wood to get rid of loose paint. Use a towel to dry and allow the primed surface some time to dry by itself if the towel doesn’t reach certain surfaces.
Step 2: Put on Your Equipment
Put on all your protective equipment, from a dust mask to eyewear, rubber gloves, and even a respirator. The thick gloves help keep the irritating stripper off the skin, while the goggles will ensure that no fumes reach your eyes.
Then, if you decide to use a biochemical or caustic stripper, you should also put on a dust mask. A respirator is also necessary if you want to strip paint with a heavy-duty chemical solvent.
Step 3: Sand the Surface
If there are some looser parts that you can remove, the easiest and fastest way is using sandpaper. Sure, it may require a lot of elbow grease, but it won’t take long.
Attach the sandpaper to a sanding block or use a power sander. Then, start sanding in the direction of the wood’s grain. In other words, start at one end of your wood piece, and then go down in the direction of the grain in the wood.
Keep going until you notice that you’ve removed as much primer as possible. If you’re sanding a floor instead, you can also use a floor sander, as it’ll make the job faster.
Step 4: Apply Stripping Agent
If you cannot remove all the primer through this process as it’s stubborn, you can apply some stripping agent. The tricky question is what is the best product to strip paint from wood? There are various types of paint stripping agents available, such as chemical-based and solvent-based options.
You can also do this from the get-go if you don’t prefer the sandpaper method.
Pour the stripping agent into a paint tray, after which, use a cheap brush to dip it into the solution, or you can simply use a clean cloth.
Then, while considering the direction of the grain, you will start spreading the substance all over the surface you want to remove paint primer. Bear in mind that it’s possible to have to reload the brush every 4-5 strokes considering the majority of stripping agents are thick. Otherwise, it will dry out.
Step 5: Apply a 1/8 – ½ in Layer of Stripping Agent
The thickness of the stripping agent layer is based on the type of solvent you use. Usually, you will need thin layers when using a heavy-duty solvent. In this case, you won’t require more than 1/8 in layer.
Conversely, if you’re using either biochemical or caustic paint strippers, you will need a much thicker layer, which is specified on the label of the product. For the most part, you will need a ½ in layer.
Keep spreading the stripping agent until you cover every textured surface, crack, or gap in the material. Sometimes, stripping agents come with a plastic sheet, in which case you should lay it over the surface.
This helps work the stripper into the surface. Make sure that when you lay it on the wooden surface, you use your palms to smooth the softened paint out and thus remove air bubbles or any imperfections while stripping paint.
Step 6: Wait for It to Work Into the Primer
Once you’re done covering every area that still has primer on it, wait between 30 minutes and 12 hours for the stripper to work. It will soak into the primer and allow you to get rid of it later.
Ideally, check the label to see the amount of time you should let the stripper soak as recommended by the manufacture.
Bear in mind that this will not make the old paint primer simply fall off the surface. It will only loosen the previous paint and make it easier to remove later.
Step 7: Scrape the Primer with a Putty Knife/Paint Scraper
Now’s the time for removing paint for good. Put on your protective gear and grab a putty knife, dragging the blade at a 15- to 25-degree angle. This should allow you to peel off the primer.
Ensure that you also work in horizontal or vertical stripes so that you remove the primer together with the stripping agent. Do this until you are done removing primer and all the stripping agent.
Related: How to remove dried paint from hardwood floors.
Step 8: Use Water and Vinegar to Neutralize the Surface
Some stripping agents will require neutralization after you remove the paint primer. So, check out the label to see if you need to go through this step. If it says you have to, then take a spray bottle and fill it with 1-part tap water and 1-part white vinegar.
Spray the result on the wood surface so you neutralize the paint stripper acid. Let the solution soak for a minute. For smaller objects, soak them in the solution for about 3-5 minutes.
Step 9: Test Using a pH Testing Strip
If you have neutralized the surface, you should also test it with a pH testing strip. Put it on a damp area of the wood surface and allow the liquid to soak into your strip. Wait for a bit until it changes colors, and use the color-coded reference in order to determine the pH amount.
If it’s close to or at 7 pH, then everything’s great. If it gets too high, though, you can use more water and vinegar to soak the surface. When it’s below 6.5, there is too much acid.
Step 10: Clean the Surface Using Water or Mineral Spirits
If you didn’t neutralize the surface, you may have to clean the wood with mineral spirits. So, take some mineral spirits and use them to rinse the surface. You can even use simple water for this step.
Step 11: Allow the Surface Some Time to Dry
When you’re done, let the surface dry out. Wood can take up to 24 hours to dry in most cases. Finally, if there is any debris in the area, use a shop vacuum to clean it up.
Interesting Post: How to Get Stain Out of Hardwood Floor
Removing Primer from Wood FAQs
Can Primer Be Removed?
Yes, primer can be removed before painting on all surfaces including metal or even plastic. Ensure you pick the right paint remover method as different surfaces behave differently. Either use a sandpaper or grab a good paint stripping agent to do the job.
How Do You Remove Kilz Primer from Wood?
To remove Kilz primer from wood, use some chemical paint remover and pour it onto a clean cloth. Then, rub the cloth onto the primed surface. Take a putty knife to scrape off the Kilz primer, and use your hand to pull up all the loose pieces.
How Do You Remove Primer without Sanding?
Aside from sanding, you can scrape off primer by spreading a good stripping agent all over the area and into the gaps and cracks. The stripping agent will loosen the primer, after which you can use a putty knife/paint scraper in removing the primer.
Can You Sand Primer off?
Sanding primer off is possible. But it requires a lot of elbow grease. 220 grit sandpaper will do the job nicely, especially if the primer is already loose.
Does Paint Thinner like Isopropyl Alcohol Remove Primer?
Removing paint thinner is pretty straightforward. Hold a rag up to the bottle of mineral spirits or turpentine until the surface is completely free of the primer. A toothbrush is another handy tool that could help you effectively remove primer with the aid of paint thinner(oil based paints).
See also: How to strip spray paint from wood
What Removes Oil Based Paint Primer?
To remove oil based paints primer, use either mineral spirits, paint thinner, acetone, or paint stripper. Go for odourless mineral spirits if you want to remove fresh oil based paint primer. However, for a large paint job, try using heavier duty noxious chemicals like acetone or paint stripper.
What Removes Water Based Paint Primer
Use rubbing alcohol to remove water based or latex paint. Use a toothbrush with a little rubbing alcohol for difficult areas to reach (such as a stair banister).
Read Also: The Best auto primer in a spray can
How to get primer off of the skin?
If you want to get primer off the skin, you can try the following methods:
- Use makeup remover: Apply a small amount of makeup remover onto a cotton pad or ball, then gently wipe the area with primer on it.
- Soap and water: Wash the area with soap and warm water, using your hands or a washcloth to gently rub the primer off. Make sure to rinse thoroughly.
- Oil-based cleanser: Apply a small amount of oil-based cleanser onto a cotton pad or ball, then gently rub the area with primer on it. The oil in the cleanser should help break down the primer and make it easier to remove.
- Baby oil: Apply a small amount of baby oil onto a cotton pad or ball, then gently rub the area with primer on it. The oil should help break down the primer and make it easier to remove.
- Baking soda: Make a paste with baking soda and water, then gently rub the area with primer on it. Rinse thoroughly with water.
Are you experiencing issues with ink stains on your wooden surfaces? Not to worry! We have a solution for you on how to get ink off wood.
Final thoughts
So, have you enjoyed learning how to remove primer from wood? Through this process, you can get rid of any imperfections or any primer that hasn’t adhered properly.
Thus, you can prepare the surface for new primer paint. In case you were working on kitchen cabinets, you can read the best primers for kitchen cabinets to pick the right one for your needs.
If you’ve enjoyed this guide, let us know in the comments and share the post on other platforms so your friends can learn something that might come in handy later.
If you have more questions, do not hesitate to post them in the comment section as well.