Strip the toughest coatings with EXPERT's professional-grade Wood Stripper - the heavy-duty caustic formula trusted by restoration professionals for complete coating removal when nothing else works.
EXPERT's Wood Stripper is a professional-grade sodium hydroxide/sodium metasilicate blend designed as STEP 1 for heavy restoration projects requiring complete coating removal. This is our go-to stripper for oil-based finishes and, when boosted with Stripper Booster, can tackle stubborn water-based coatings.
⚠️ PROFESSIONAL HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL ⚠️ This caustic stripper generates heat, can cause chemical burns, and requires extreme caution. Only for experienced professionals and serious restoration projects. The distinctive red color ensures immediate identification and prevents dangerous mixing accidents.
3-Step System Position:
- Step 1: Wood Stripper (removes oil-based finishes, some water-based coatings with booster)
- Step 2: Wood Brightener/Neutralizer (MANDATORY neutralization, restores natural wood color)
- Step 3: EXPERT Stain & Seal application
Why Powder Formula Matters:
EXPERT Wood Stripper comes in concentrated red-tinted powder form - not pre-mixed liquid like other brands. This gives you significant advantages:
✓ 100% Pure Formula - No fillers, no dilutants, no unnecessary additives. Just pure sodium hydroxide/sodium metasilicate blend for maximum stripping power.
✓ Complete Strength Control - Mix light (2oz/gallon) for light stripping, medium (4oz/gallon) for regular jobs, or heavy (8oz/gallon) for the toughest coatings. You control the caustic power based on your specific requirements.
✓ Massive Shipping Savings - No paying to ship water weight like liquid competitors. One container of EXPERT powder creates multiple gallons of working solution.
✓ Extended Shelf Life - Powder form stays stable for 36 months unopened. Liquid products degrade faster and have shorter shelf lives.
✓ Professional Efficiency - Mix exactly what you need for each job. No waste from leftover pre-mixed solutions that loses potency over time.
✓ Storage Convenience - Compact powder takes minimal storage space compared to bulky liquid containers.
✓ Critical Safety Identification - Red tint provides immediate visual warning and eliminates risk of mixing non-compatible chemicals.
The bottom line: While other brands ship you expensive water and fillers in heavy containers, EXPERT delivers pure, concentrated caustic stripping power with critical red identification - mix to professional specifications for maximum results with proper safety protocols.
Mixing & Application Instructions:
Coverage:
8oz of EXPERT Clean & Bright Wood Stripper will make 1 gallon of cleaning solution and cover approximately 150 to 250 sq. ft. depending on surface and method of application.
⚠️ MANDATORY PPE: Always wear heavy-duty rubber gloves, NIOSH approved respirator and FULL PPE when working with EXPERT Clean & Bright Wood Stripper. Wood Strippers can cause chemical burns if in contact with skin, eyes or lungs.
Mixing Ratios:
- Light Strip: 2oz per gallon of COLD water
- Medium Strip: 40z per gallon of COLD water
- Heavy Strip: 8oz per gallon of COLD water
- Standard Mix: 4-8oz per gallon of COLD water (generates heat - COLD water mandatory)
- Stir thoroughly until powder is mostly dissolved
- Mix in separate 5-gallon pail before transferring to pump sprayer (prevents clogging)
- Use mixed solution within 6 hours
- Mixed solution is red in color for critical safety identification
PREPARATION:
- Pre-wet the surface with water before application
- Test in small, inconspicuous area first to ensure desired results
- CRITICAL: Strippers must be kept wet or they will not work
APPLICATION:
- Apply using sprayer, brush, or car wash brush, working on small areas (100-200 sq. ft.) at a time
- For vertical surfaces using sprayer: work small areas, start at bottom, work upward
- Scrub thoroughly with hard, short-bristled broom or brush if needed
- Keep area wet with additional solution or water hose mist (light mist every few minutes)
- Allow Wood Stripper to sit 5-45 minutes until desired result achieved
- MANDATORY: Keep stripping surface wet with more solution or water mist from hose
RINSE:
- Rinse thoroughly with water from hose or pressure washer using lowest effective pressure
- For extreme buildup: use power washer or hard bristled brush
- Use minimum effective pressure to avoid wood damage
- Power wash using pendulum motion the full length of each board
- Do not start and stop as scarring or gouging can occur
- CRITICAL: Paint and stain chips may stick to and dry on other painted surfaces - completely rinse away all old finish from all surrounding surfaces
NEUTRALIZE (MANDATORY):
- After stripping complete, immediately neutralize and brighten wood using EXPERT Clean & Bright Wood Brightener
- Let Wood Brightener sit 5-15 minutes ensuring entire surface properly neutralized
- Color change will be evident when properly brightened
- Rinse wood's entire surface 10-15 minutes
- Rinse all nearby surfaces including siding, windows, and foliage
- Allow wood to dry 48-72 hours before staining
- Wood must be dried to 13% moisture content or less before stain application
CLEAN-UP:
- Clean tools and equipment immediately after use with soap and water
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS:
- Strippers must be kept wet or they will not work - light mist every few minutes
- Test on a small, inconspicuous area of the wood to ensure proper wood care
- Always wet plants, shrubs, and surrounding vegetation before and after use
- Always brighten the wood after using this stripper with EXPERT Wood Brightener
- Read and understand SDS for this product prior to use
⚠️ EXTREME CAUTION WARNING:
- WILL BURN SKIN, REMOVE PAINT FROM HOUSES, AND DAMAGE PLANTS, GRASS AND PETS
- Keep out of reach of children
- Exposure to sodium hydroxide or sodium metasilicate will cause severe irritation to eyes, skin, and lungs
- If contact occurs, rinse immediately with water for 15 minutes. If irritation continues, seek immediate medical attention
- Do not ingest. Always wear full personal protective equipment when using this product
- DO NOT MIX WITH OTHER CHEMICALS
- Professional hazardous chemical - use extreme caution at all times
Limitations & Storage:
- Professional-grade caustic chemical requiring expertise and safety protocols
- Will damage surrounding surfaces if not properly protected and rinsed
- May dull painted or metal surfaces if not rinsed immediately
- Store in temperature-controlled room, protect mixed solution from freezing
- 36-month shelf life when unopened
- Raised grain will occur as wood pores open during stripping process
SDS
Download our Safety Data Sheet
EXPERT Professional Wood Care products do not and cannot guarantee to kill or eliminate organic growth, mold, mildew, algae, and other microorganisms from the use of our EXPERT 3-Step System. The EXPERT Professional Wood Care products have not been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency
Questions & Answers
Have a Question?
-
Is the 5 gallon concentrate or ready to use?..
Yes, the wood stripper is a concentrate. Please see label or description for instructions on use.
-
how much will 32 oz cover using 1 cup per gallon?
MIXING INSTRUCTIONS:
- For a Light Strip: Mix 1/4 cup per gallon of water
- For a Medium Strip: Mix 1/2 cup per gallon of water
- For a Heavy Strip: Mix 1 cup per gallon of water