EXPERT Wood Care - Wood Stripper

EXPERT Wood Care — Wood Stripper is a heavy-duty stain stripper and wood stripper made for decks, fences, and other exterior wood surfaces. 

It dissolves oil-based stains, solid color stains, semi-transparent finishes, and old paint, lifting peeling stains and loosening embedded pigments so wood fibers can absorb new wood stains evenly.

Use it to strip down to bare wood and prepare surfaces for lasting restoration.

Description

Why You Need a Stain Stripper

Not all stains are created equal. Many exterior stains, especially oil-based stains, solid color stains, and old paint, soak into the wood grain and bond tightly to deck boards and fence surfaces. 

Over time, they weather unevenly, making re-staining difficult and often producing blotchy, short-lived results.

A stain stripper or wood stripper chemically breaks down those built-up coatings and loosens embedded pigments. 

In turn, it clears the surface down to bare wood and opens the wood fibers so your next coat of wood stain or semi-transparent stain can penetrate evenly, which is the key to long-lasting performance.

If you’re restoring a cedar deck, a pressure-treated deck, or simply trying to remove years of deck stains, Fence Armor’s full wood care collection offers the cleaners, brighteners, and tools you need to properly prep, neutralize, and restore your exterior wood surfaces.

If you're not sure where to begin, Fence Armor’s full wood care collection offers everything you need for a proper refinishing project.

What Makes EXPERT Wood Care - Wood Stripper Different?

EXPERT Wood Care - Wood Stripper uses a powerful combination of:

• Sodium Hydroxide / Sodium Metasilicate Blend: Highly effective at breaking down oil-based stains, solid color stains, and semi-transparent stains.

• Butyl Booster Compatible: For more stubborn coatings, you can supercharge your stripper by adding Butyl Boost - Wood Stripper Booster.

• Multi-Purpose Performance: It tackles old paint, mold, mildew, and organic growth, common problems on neglected fences, decks, siding, and other exterior wood surfaces.

How to Apply It 

Here are a few things to keep in mind when using your stain stripper to ensure optimal results:

Mixing Ratios

Adjust the mix based on how tough your project is:

• Light Strip: 1/4 cup per gallon of water

• Medium Strip: 1/2 cup per gallon of water

• Heavy Strip: 1 cup per gallon of water

Application Method

1. Always begin with a test area to see how your wood responds.

2. Apply liberally with a pump sprayer or garden sprayer.

3. Let sit for 15–45 minutes. Keep it wet by misting lightly with a garden hose as drying reduces effectiveness.

4. After dwell time, scrub with a stiff-bristle brush or scrub brush.

5. Rinse thoroughly using a pressure washer or garden hose.

6. Always follow up with a wood brightener to neutralize.

We recommend Wood Brightener - Oxalic Acid to restore the wood’s pH balance and color before re-staining. And if you need tools, check out Fence Armor's fence staining equipment collection for sprayers, brushes, and other equipment.

When Should You Use a Stain Stripper?

If you’re staring at a deck, fence, or siding with peeling, flaking, or uneven deck stains, start with a stain stripper rather than applying a new coat on top. 

Stripping returns the surface to bare wood so a fresh wood stain can truly penetrate the wood fibers and last longer.

Reach for a chemical stripper when changing stain types or colors, because leftover coatings (especially oil-based stains, solid color stains, or multiple layers of solid stains) block even absorption into the grain. 

For heavily built-up coatings and old paint, chemical stripping succeeds where washing, light sanding, or a pressure washer often falls short.

Additionally, strippers perform well on vertical surfaces and heavily textured boards where hand sanding is impractical, and they penetrate mold and mildew spots more effectively than power washing alone. 

For larger restoration projects, protect posts and hardware with fence post caps, plan durable fence designs, or hire professionals for new fences to ensure the best long-term results.

Which Product Is Right for My Project?

Choosing the right mix and add-ons makes the difference between a quick refresh and a full restoration. Below is a simple guide to match common problems with the correct approach using EXPERT Wood Stripper and compatible accessories:

• Peeling or Flaking Stain on a Cedar Deck: Heavy mix (1 cup/gal) to lift bonded coatings. Expect to follow with a pressure wash and neutralize.

• Faded or Worn Semi-Transparent Stain: Light mix (1/4 cup/gal). The goal is to remove the weathered finish without over-stripping the wood fibers.

• Switching From Oil-Based To a Water-Based/Semi-Finish: Full strip to bare wood, then apply a wood brightener (oxalic acid) to restore pH before re-staining.

• Multiple Layers of Solid Stain or Old Paint: Heavy mix + Butyl Booster for extra potency, then scrub and rinse thoroughly.

If you’re unsure, try a small test spot using the recommended mix. We also offer sprayers, brushes, and other wood fence tools designed for efficient application and even coverage.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Getting the most out of your stain stripper isn’t complicated, but a few mistakes can ruin the results. First, the biggest error is letting the stripper dry out during dwell time. It must stay wet. 

Mist periodically with a garden hose or reapply from a pump sprayer so the chemistry can continue to break down the old coating. Then, agitate stubborn areas with a stiff-bristle brush or scrub brush and rinse thoroughly with a pressure washer or garden hose.

Next, protect yourself: wear safety glasses or goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, boots, and long sleeves to avoid skin contact and inhaling vapors. 

If exposure occurs, remove contaminated clothing, rinse the area, and contact a Poison Control Center or seek medical attention if irritation persists. 

Additionally, protect landscaping by covering delicate vegetation and rinsing plants before and after application to prevent damage.

Finally, don’t skip neutralizing. Apply a wood brightener (oxalic acid) to restore pH, let the boards fully dry for 24 to 48 hours, and perform light sanding to smooth raised wood fibers before applying your new wood stain.

Safety First

This is a powerful chemical, so taking proper safety precautions is essential to protect yourself, others, and your property. Here are a few things to keep in mind when using EXPERT Wood Care - Wood Stripper: 

• Avoid skin contact, eye contact, and breathing in vapors.

• If exposed, rinse skin or eyes for 15 minutes with water and seek medical attention if irritation persists.

• If swallowed, rinse mouth, contact a Poison Control Center, and get emergency help.

• Never mix with other chemicals.

• Keep children and pets away during use.

• Wash any contaminated clothing immediately.

• Always read and follow the full label for first aid instructions.

How EXPERT Wood Care Compares

When you compare EXPERT Wood Care - Wood Stripper to brands like Behr Premium, Restore-A-Deck, or Defy, the difference is in its power and flexibility. 

This product is built specifically for heavy-duty exterior restoration, where lighter-duty options may fall short. It’s designed to strip both paint and stain, whether you’re dealing with solid stains, semi-transparent stains, or tough oil-based coatings. 

Unlike many products limited to one type of finish, this stripper handles multiple layers of built-up coatings that often collect over years of maintenance. 

The adjustable mixing strength lets you tailor the formula to match the condition of your wood, from light prep work to full restorations. It’s especially effective on neglected, weather-worn deck boards, fences, and other challenging exterior wood surfaces.

If you're serious about getting down to bare wood and restoring your fence or deck right, this stripper gives you the power and control you need. And when you’re ready to stain again, explore our full range of Fence Armor wood stains for long-term protection.

Final Thoughts on EXPERT Wood Care - Wood Stripper

A proper wood restoration starts with proper prep. EXPERT Wood Care - Wood Stripper is your solution for safely and fully removing old coatings, opening the wood fibers, and setting up your deck, fence, or siding for a beautiful, durable finish that lasts.

Here are some more Fence Armor products and collections you can check out:

Fence Post Puller | Stain Machine | Fence Staining Equipment | Wood Care | Post Rot Protector | Fence Post Guard| Post Saver Sleeve | Speed Square | Mr Fence Tools | Semi Transparent Stain | Chain Link Fence Bottom Guard | Stain Stripper | Fence Guard | Mr Fence Protector | Wood Fence Tools | Expert Stain and Seal | Fence Post Sleeve | Decorative Fence Post Caps | 4x4 Post Protector | Fence Finials | Framing Jig | Vinyl Fence Rail Removal Tool | 4x4 Deck Post Anchors | Fence Protector | Aluminum Balusters | Mailbox Post Protector | Fence Hangers | EZ Template | Baluster Connectors | Fence Stains

WARNING:

Extreme caution should be taken when using strippers. They will burn skin, remove paint from houses, and kill plants, grass and pets.  

• Keep out of reach of children.
• Exposure to sodium hydroxide or sodium metasilicate could cause irritation to the eyes, skin, or lungs. If contact occurs, rinse immediately with water for 15 minutes. If irritation continues, seek immediate medical attention.
• Do not ingest.
• Always wear personal protective equipment when using this product.
• DO NOT MIX WITH OTHER CHEMICALS.

Pro Advice

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)