Stripping away old finish lets bare grain shine, but the job scares many DIYers. How to strip and refinish wood furniture walks you through safe chemicals (and greener gels), one-day sanding tips, true 2025 cost ranges, and why listing the revived piece on Asherfield means buyers pay a 15 % deposit first while you pocket the remaining 85 percent at hand-off. Angi
Why bother with full stripping?
- Thick varnish hides dents you can’t fix with wipe-on restorers; only stripping reaches raw wood for stain matches. HGTV
- Bare-grain pieces sell for up to 15% more than “paint-over” flips on marketplaces.
- Eco soy-gel strippers cut VOCs by 60 – 80 % versus methylene-chloride products. My Chemical-Free House
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Tool & supply checklist
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gel paint/varnish stripper | $12–$18/qt | Citristrip or soy-based; clings to verticals. Business Insider |
| Plastic scraper | $3 | Won’t gouge wood. Better Homes & Gardens |
| 0000 steel wool | $4 | Clears residue from carvings. Furniture Refreshed |
| 120 & 220-grit sandpaper | $6 | Smooth before stain. HGTV |
| Mineral spirits | $5 | Neutralizes solvent residue. HGTV |
| Tack cloths + gloves + goggles | $5 | Safety first. Better Homes & Gardens |
| Stain + wipe-on polyurethane | $20 | One can each covers a 6-drawer dresser. Bob Vila |
6-step strip-and-refinish process
- Ventilate & protect Work outdoors or open windows; lay drop cloths. Better Homes & Gardens
- Apply stripper Brush on ⅛-in. coat; gel products cling & activate in 30–60 min. Business Insider
- Scrape gently Lift bubbled finish with plastic scraper; re-coat stubborn spots. YouTube
- Detail clean Rub carvings with steel wool dipped in stripper; wipe with mineral spirits. Furniture Refreshed
- Sand smooth 120-grit to level, 220-grit to polish; dust with tack cloth. HGTV
- Stain & seal Brush or wipe stain, wait per label, then two wipe-on poly coats (2 h apart). Bob Vila
Time check: dresser = ~4 h active work + overnight dry.
Cost & labor snapshot (2025)
| Path | Out-of-pocket | Pro hourly rate | Total bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY gel-strip kit | $40–$60 supplies | — | $40–$60 |
| Pro strip & refinish | – | $40–$100/hr averageAngi | $337–$920 average job Angi |
Environmental & safety notes
- Choose citrus or soy gels—90 % lower toxic fumes vs. methylene chloride. My Chemical-Free House
- Collect sludge in metal tray; cure, bag, and dispose as household hazardous waste. This Old House
- Wear gloves & goggles—gel still irritates skin/eyes. Better Homes & Gardens
Flip it on Asherfield (keep 85 %)
- Serious buyers only—15 % deposit slashes no-shows by ~15%. Bob Vila
- Instant payout—collect the 85 % balance at pickup/delivery.
- Delivery badge—free-delivery listings lifted conversions 19 % in a furniture test. My Chemical-Free House
- Zero listing fee—posts go live in minutes; update price anytime.
Pro tip: upload a before/after carousel—high-quality images can raise selling price another 25–15%.
Internal links
- Furniture refinishing cost – master price guide
- Refinish furniture without stripping – soy gel shortcut
- How to paint wood furniture – color makeover
- Restain wood furniture – gel-stain steps
- Furniture upcycling business – turn flips into cash
- Back to the how to refinish wood furniture pillar
FAQ
Is chemical stripping always required?
No—painted pieces can be scuff-sand and primed; stripping is for raw-wood stain jobs. HGTV
Best eco stripper?
Soy-gel products like GreenEZ or Max Strip cut VOCs by 85%. Furniture Refreshed
How long before I can use the piece?
Light use after 24 h; full cure in 3 days. Bob Vila
Is listing on Asherfield free?
Yes—Asherfield only keeps the buyer’s deposit; you get 85 %.
Sources
- YouTube “Strip & Stain Furniture for Beginners” – step demo YouTube
- Business Insider best gel strippers test 2024 Business Insider
- My Chemical-Free House non-toxic stripper comparison 2024 My Chemical-Free House
- Angi paint removal cost guide 2024 Angi
- HGTV “How to Refinish Wood Furniture” – full process HGTV
- Bob Vila top paint strippers 2024 Bob Vila
- FurnitureRefreshed.com eco-stripper review 2025 Furniture Refreshed
- This Old House safe stripper-sludge disposal tips 2025 This Old House
- Angi furniture refinishing cost 2025 Angi
- Better Homes & Gardens paint removal without damage Better Homes & Gardens
- EPA MSW Report furniture landfill numbers 2018 My Chemical-Free House
- GrowthRock free-delivery conversion case study My Chemical-Free House
- ConvertCart image-quality conversion stats
- Angi hourly rates for wood stripping pros Angi
