The amount of paint stripper you will need depends on what you are stripping and how many coats of old surface must be removed. In general 4 litres (one gallon approx) of stripper will strip 7 to 10 square metres (75 to 100 square feet). A chair or small side table with a clear finish on it will require about 1litre (one quart approx). A dining room table with carved or turned legs and a clear finish will probably require 2 - 2 1/2 litres (two quarts). If you are dealing with painted surfaces and depending on the thickness of the paint, you can quite easily double these amounts. Try to buy only what you will use to avoid storing paint stripper chemicals around the home or in your workshop.

[edit] Materials To Do The Job

• Paint Brush.

An old, wide one will do. Natural bristle will last longer than synthetic.

• Scrapers.

A dull, flexible blade putty knife is best. If necessary, dull the cutting edge and corners of the blade with a metal file; otherwise, you might gouge the wood. Also available are a wide range of different shape scrapers designed for moulded timbers shapes, that can be purchased from most hardware and paint stores.

• Toothbrush, ice pick, cotton swabs.

Handy for getting into tiny crevices or intricate designs or carvings in the wood.

• Steel Wool pads (#2).

Helpful for removing the stripper or old finish from pores in open grained woods such as walnut, oak, or mahogany. Also, can be used to prepare the surface for a new finish.

• Metal cans.

(Eg. large coffee cans) Good for holding the paint stripper while work is in process, and for collecting the waste (sludge) when the work is done. Make sure the container you use has a securely fitting lid.

• Hessian, twine, or coarse string.

Handy for removing paint from leg turnings (using shoe shine method or back and forth rubbing motion).

• Stiff bristle scrub brush.

Useful for removing the old paint from places inaccessible to a scraper.

• Disposable pie pans or some other suitable container.

Place under the legs of the furniture to catch drippings.

• Drop cloth, newspapers, cardboard, and old rags.

To catch drippings and sludge to protect the surface underneath the work. Remember paint strippers can damage rubber, asphalt, plastic, and vinyl.

[edit] Protective Equipment

• Safety goggles. To completely cover and protect the eyes.

• Rubber gloves and apron. Not the dish washing kind. Should be chemical-resistant, such as neoprene or butyl.

• Clothing that covers all skin. Long-sleeved shirts, pants, socks, and shoes. If working at eye-level or above, wear a cap or hat.