While paint is a mainstay in transformation DIY, there is definitely a trend toward stripping wood to a natural finish. Wagner Heat Guns are at the forefront of that look. Here, a pair of painted Bauhaus-inspired wood chairs get stripped of an orange-painted finish and are returned to a vintage, yet modern look that is neutral, natural and definitely on trend.

Step 1

All you'll need to strip the chair is the Wagner heat gun of choice and a paint scraper. Set up a work area, with a drop cloth below to collect the paint scrapings. Optional: take the chairs apart for easier access to the parts and easier stripping.

Step 2

Place the Studio Dual Temp heat gun to high setting and pass over the surface of the painted wood in an even pattern at a distance of 2 to 3 inches. When the paint starts to bubble, simply scrape paint using the scraper. Wipe paint away with a rag and continue heating and scraping until all the paint is remove. We recommend working in one area of the piece at a time.

Step 3

Let hot paint residue cool on surface before sanding so the paint doesn't get gummy. If you have a gummy surface, wipe the wood with denatured alcohol and a rag. Once paint has been removed, clean the scraped wood with medium grit sandpaper and steel wool until the surface is free of any remaining paint and is the finish you are looking for.

Step 4:

To finish the piece, load your Wagner sprayer with a flat finish varnish to coat the wood with a spray of protective finish. Be sure to tape and mask any metal parts.

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