How-to Prep Wood with Peeling Stain or Finish | Behr
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How to Prep Wood with Peeling Stain or Finish

Any existing stain coating on your wood surface can prevent full penetration of your new finish or coating.

For Best Results:

Use BEHR PREMIUM® Stripper and Cleaning Products to help strip the old finish and allow the new coating to fully penetrate the wood surface. This will help ensure a longer lasting, more durable finish.

Once the surface has completely dried, coat with a BEHR Stain or Finish product.

Suggested Tools & Supplies
  • Bucket
  • Broom (Stiff Bristle)
  • Brush (2"-2½")
  • Bucket Grid
  • Chemical Resistant Gloves
  • Drop Cloths
  • Extension Pole
  • Vinyl Gloves
  • Hose

  • High Pressure Nozzle

  • Paint Can Opener
  • Paint Tray
  • Paint Tray Liner
  • Painter's Tape
  • Plastic Sheeting
  • Pressure Washer
  • Protective Apparel
  • Pump Sprayer
  • Rags
  • Roller Cover and Frame
  • Stir Stick

Stripping a Coated Wood Surface

  • Step 1

    Start with the BEHR PREMIUM® Wood Stain & Finish Stripper to remove all of the previous coating.

  • Step 2

    Apply the finish stripper product to your wood surface.

  • Step 3

    Wait 15 minutes then scrub slightly with a stiff bristled broom.  Rinse.  You are now ready to clean your wood surface with BEHR PREMIUM All-in-One Wood Cleaner.

     

    TIP: The BEHR PREMIUM All-in-One Wood Cleaner will neutralize the stripper product and clean and brighten your wood prior to coating.

Cleaning

  • Step 1

    To apply the cleaner, wet the wood surface.

  • Step 2

    Apply the cleaner product with a pump sprayer.

  • Step 3

    Wait 15 minutes then scrub the wet surface with a stiff bristled brush. Rinse the wood surface thoroughly.

  • Step 4

    Once the wood surface has completely dried, you're ready to apply a wood stain or finish product.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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What Product Do I Need?
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How much paint do I need?
8 Oz. Sample
1 Gallon
1 Quart
5 Gallon
The following product(s) is required to properly prep uncoated and previously coated concrete surfaces.
Required product
BEHR PREMIUM ALL-IN-ONE WOOD CCCC
Estimated Price
$0.00
The following product(s) is required to properly prep uncoated and previously coated concrete surfaces. Only available in store at Home Depot.
Required 3rd party product
BEHR PREMIUM ALL-IN-ONE WOOD CCCC
The 9 in. x 1/4 in. Polyester Adhesive Roller Cover has a hard texture, making it ideal for applying all types of adhesives to smooth surfaces. It can be used for stippling and applying sand paints.
The following product(s) is recommended when a topcoat clear finish is desired.
Recommended product
BEHR PREMIUM ALL-IN-ONE WOOD CCCC
Estimated Price
$0.00
$0.00
Product price is estimated. Pricing could change based on your local Home Depot pricing.
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