Removing emulsion from wood

[Poolaz]

Apologies if this has already been asked:

We've had all of our original 1930's doors stripped back to the wood and waxed. However one of them must have been undercoated with emulsion and came back from the Dip 'n' Strip with the gloss top-coat removed, but the emulsion still covering the door (and into the grain by the look of it).

Does anyone have any ideas how to remove water-based emulsions from bare wood, other than sanding? Are there chemical strippers available specifically for this purpose?

 

[dizzlesizzle]

Hi,

I had a simlar problem when i bought my current house. All the wooden roof beams are exposed but had been splashed with water based emulsion paint.

The only way i managed to remove the paint was scraping, sanding and using paint stripper (white spirit). If the emulsion has been there a long time then you may never fully remove it as the water soaks into the wood and stains the wood so it is not a surface finish.

The best thing i found was to use a dark stain with two coats then sand down finely and put another dark stain top coat on.

Hope this helps.

 

[Zampa]

Try a cloth dampened with really hot water (stick the marigolds on first!!) make it into a pad and hold it over it the combination of heat and moisture can often soften water based paints enough for you to get it off with a scrape of your finger nail.

Meths also softens some water based paint films

 

[Poolaz]

Thanks for those ideas. I'll give both a try this weekend. Any other suggestions are very welcome.