Best Paint Remover For Wood in 2023 (Reviews & Comparison)

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When it comes to stripping paint from wood, you want something that will remove all the paint from the wood you have, yet do it with minimum effort on your part.

And paint remover can be a harsh product, so you want to know what you’re getting your hands on (but not getting on your hands).

So we’ve stripped back all the paint removers and laid bare for you a few to help you choose the best paint remover for wood.

COMPARISON CHART

IMAGE PRODUCT
Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover- Strips 15+ Layers of Paint, Environmentally Friendly, Non-Toxic, Safe, No Hazardous Fumes, No Foul Smells (1 Gallon) 1. Dumond Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover
  • Removes 15 layers
  • Water-based
  • 100% Biodegradable
  • Zero VOC
  • Odor-Free
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Citristrip QCSG801 Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel, 1 Quarts (Pack of 1), Red 2. Citristrip QCSG801 Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel
  • Removes 5 layers in 1 hour
  • Thick Gel
  • Citrus Scent
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Sunnyside Corporation 65664 Hi-Speed Ready-Strip Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover Quart Trigger Spray, 1/2 Gallon, 64 Fl Oz 3. Sunnyside Corporation 65664 Hi-Speed Ready-Strip Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover
  • Removes 3 layers
  • Starts Working In 30 mins
  • Fast Acting Spray
  • Non-Drip
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MAX Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper 1 Qt 4. MAX Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper 1 Qt
  • Tough Professional Grade
  • Water-based
  • Biodegradable
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Paint Stripper (Quart - 32oz) Super Remover New Generation - Safe for Wood, Metal, Concrete & All Type of Paints 5. D Super Remover Paint Stripper
  • Fast acting
  • Efficient stripper
  • Removes paint easily
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1. Dumond Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover

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Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover- Strips 15+ Layers of Paint, Environmentally Friendly, Non-Toxic, Safe, No Hazardous Fumes, No Foul Smells (1 Gallon)

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Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover- Strips 15+ Layers of Paint, Environmentally Friendly, Non-Toxic, Safe, No Hazardous Fumes, No Foul Smells (1 Gallon)

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Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover- Strips 15+ Layers of Paint, Environmentally Friendly, Non-Toxic, Safe, No Hazardous Fumes, No Foul Smells (1 Gallon)

Specification

Volume1 gallon
Weight10 pounds
TypeZero-VOC

Features

  • 100% Biodegradable
  • No methylene chloride, no caustics, non-toxic
  • Multi-Surface Compatability
  • Removes Oil, Water, Acrylic, and Latex-based Paints
  • Odor-Free
  • Water-based
  • 3-24 hours Dwell Time

This revolutionary Dumond Smart Strip is a professional strength paint remover for wood that is also suitable for many other substrates, so you can use it for other jobs too.

Incredibly it can remove up to 15 layers of all sorts of types of paint, varnish, and stains with one application – so a massive time saver.

It somehow manages to do all that and also be an environmentally friendly biodegradable product free from dangerous chemicals.

And it’s odor-free, so there are no unpleasant smells to put up with while it works its magic.

WHAT WE LIKE

Removing up to 15 coats of most coatings in one application can save lots of time and effort.

100% biodegradable and environmentally friendly is a bonus and unusual in what are traditionally harsh and unpleasant products.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

Not suitable for pre-1980s or lead-based coatings, so not the best choice for paint that has been there a while.

PROS

  • One Application
  • Most Coatings and Substrates
  • Odor-Free
  • Toxin-Free
  • Biodegradable

CONS

  • Not Suitable for Old Coatings

2. Citristrip QCSG801 Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel – Best For Thick Layers

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Citristrip QCSG801 Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel, 1 Quarts (Pack of 1), Red

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Citristrip QCSG801 Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel, 1 Quarts (Pack of 1), Red

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Citristrip QCSG801 Paint & Varnish Stripping Gel, 1 Quarts (Pack of 1), Red

Specification

Volume1 Quart
Weight10 pounds
TypeSolvent

Features

  • Thick Gel
  • No methylene chloride, no NMP
  • For Wood, Metal, and Masonry Surfaces
  • Removes Oil and Latex-based Coatings
  • Citrus Scent
  • 30 mins-24 hours Dwell Time

This pleasantly named and pleasant-smelling Citristrip paint stripper is a thick gel that can be left to work for up to 24 hours without drying out and can cut through 5 layers of paint in under an hour.

And it has a nice citrus smell to fill your work area.

WHAT WE LIKE

Only needs an hour to remove five coats.

The thick gel won’t dry out in a hurry, so you can leave it on to cut through the stubborn layers.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

May need to be covered and left for up to 72 hours for some paints.

PROS

  • Removes five coats in an hour
  • Pleasant Smell
  • Thick, stays wet

CONS

  • Not suitable on all coatings
  • Sometimes ineffective

3. Sunnyside Corporation 65664 Hi-Speed Ready-Strip Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover – Best For Fast Application

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Sunnyside Corporation 65664 Hi-Speed Ready-Strip Citrus Paint & Varnish Remover Quart Trigger Spray, 1/2 Gallon, 64 Fl Oz

Specification

VolumeHalf Gallon
Weight4.5 pounds
TypeSolvent

Features

  • Fast Acting Spray
  • Non-Drip
  • Environmentally Safe
  • No methylene chloride, No Caustics
  • Multi-Surface Compatibility
  • Removes Water, Latex, and Oil-based Coatings
  • Citrus Scent
  • Water-based
  • 30 mins – 4 hours Activation Time

Continuing the theme of pleasantly named and citrus-smelling paint remover, the Sunnyside Hi-Speed is a fast-acting paint remover.

It removes paint in 30 minutes and can work through thick layers for up to 4 hours.

WHAT WE LIKE

If you’re in a hurry this is easy to apply and starts working quickly, but can also be left on if needed without drying out.

Being water-based makes it easy to clean up afterward.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

The downside of being water-based is that it makes wood damp, so it can soften it and affect the wood if you’re not careful.

PROS

  • Fast Acting
  • Easy Application
  • Easy Cleanup
  • Environmentally Safe

CONS

  • Can Soften Wood
  • May Evaporate

4. MAX Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper 1 Qt – Best For Tough Paints

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MAX Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper 1 Qt

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MAX Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper 1 Qt

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MAX Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper 1 Qt

Specification

VolumeOne Quart
Weight2.3 pounds
TypeLow VOC

Features

  • Non-Drip Gel
  • No methylene chloride, No NMP
  • Multi-Surface Compatibility
  • Removes Most Paint and Varnish
  • Non-Toxic Low Odor
  • Water-based
  • Biodegradable
  • 30 mins – Overnight Activation Time

This water-based and biodegradable paint stripper from MAX Strip uses patented technology that breaks down the molecular bond between the surface and the coating.

It works without a chemical reaction, so it doesn’t release toxic fumes, making it safe for use indoors and without protective gear. And safer around kids and pets.

WHAT WE LIKE

This is a good all-around paint stripper that’s capable of tough jobs and can be used indoors without ventilation or protective gear.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

Needs to be applied thickly and then covered with film to work most effectively.

PROS

  • Easy Application
  • Easy Cleanup
  • No Toxic Fumes
  • Environmentally Safe

CONS

  • Needs To be Covered For Best Results
  • Mixed Results

5. D Super Remover Paint Stripper – Best Value

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Paint Stripper (Quart - 32oz) Super Remover New Generation - Safe for Wood, Metal, Concrete & All Type of Paints

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Paint Stripper (Quart - 32oz) Super Remover New Generation - Safe for Wood, Metal, Concrete & All Type of Paints

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Paint Stripper (Quart - 32oz) Super Remover New Generation - Safe for Wood, Metal, Concrete & All Type of Paints

Specification

VolumeQuart – 32oz
Weight2.42 pounds
TypeLow VOC

Features

  • Removes up to 5 layers
  • Ultra-fast action gel
  • Removes all types of paint
  • Water cleanable
  • Safe for wood, metal, and concrete

The new formula is just as effective as our original formula, but without Methylene Chloride, NMP, or any other highly toxic chemicals. This revolutionary new formula works the same way and is as effective as Methylene Chloride products. Super Remover New Generation is ideal for all stripping jobs. It can remove up to 5 layers in one application.

WHAT WE LIKE

A quick and efficient paint stripper that works in minutes. Paint removes easily after about 15minutes of application. Easy to apply and spread.

WHAT WE DON’T LIKE

Not thick enough to apply to vertical surfaces. Fumes are still strong and require ventilation when working with this stripper. Requires heavy pressure to remove multiple layers.

PROS

  • Fast-acting 
  • Efficient stripper
  • Removes paint easily
  • Easy application

CONS

  • Not good for vertical surfaces 
  • Strong fumes
  • Requires heavy pressure for multiple layers

Conclusion

While it’s hard to recommend one product as there are so many variations on materials and objects shapes and paints and coating if we had to strip it down to one – our recommendation for the best paint remover for wood is the Dumond Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover.

First and foremost, it is a highly effective paint remover – removing up to an incredible 15 layers in one coat, making far less work for you.

And it can remove most types of coatings from virtually all surfaces, so it is very versatile.

Doing all that and being 100% biodegradable and environmentally friendly seems almost greedy, but it is – as well as non-toxic and odor-free.

And at the end of all that, it’s water-based for easy cleanup.

It’s a product that ticks many boxes (and then strips them down to bare wood).

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS:

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