Grand Rapids Paint Stripping Service

Serving all of Kent & Ottawa Counties, including Grand Rapids, Holland, and Grand Haven.

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Paint Stripping Overview


Sometimes adding paint to a piece of furniture turns out to be a mistake. Or, sometimes paint builds up to the point that a piece looks messy and it needs to be removed to look new again. No matter the reason, paint stripping will get your item or piece of furniture back to a clean base so that it can have a fresh new start. Paint stripping can be a messy and daunting job. You don’t have to try to DIY your project - VanDerKolk Painting provides affordable paint stripping and refinishing services. You can relax and rest easy knowing your project is in professional hands and it will get done right the first time.

Why Is Paint Stripping Done?

Paint stripping needs to be done for a couple of reasons. Repainting a surface over old layers of paint can cause paint to build up over time and become thick, lumpy, cracked, and uneven. While it may be okay to repaint a surface a few times, after a while paint needs to be stripped to create a smooth and even surface when new paint is applied. 


Paint stripping may also be done to change the look of a piece of furniture or other wood surfaces. At some point in the furniture’s life, paint may have been applied to change the style of the piece. Paint stripping allows for stain and polish to be applied to wood surfaces to get the furniture back to its original look.

Paint Stripping Process

The general process for paint stripping can be broken down into a few simple steps. 


  1. Apply paint stripper: In most cases, a chemical paint stripper is used to break down old paint. These are typically applied in a thick layer with a brush.
  2. Allow paint stripper to work: Most paint strippers begin to work in about 20 minutes. The paint will begin to bubble up when it’s ready to be removed.
  3. Scrape off old paint: Using a metal putty knife, paint that is wet from the paint stripper can be scraped off the item. This has to be done carefully to avoid gouging wood and often requires several passes over the same area. 
  4. Repeat as needed: If there are many layers of old paint and the paint doesn’t come off easily with the first application of paint stripper, the previous steps may need to be repeated several times. 
  5. Scrub and rinse the surface: Once all paint has been removed, the surface has to be thoroughly cleaned.
  6. Sand the surface: The now paint-free and clean surface can be sanded down to make it smooth and even for refinishing. 


These simple steps can be followed for most paint stripping projects. For unusual materials and difficult projects, we may use a variety of techniques to remove paint and get the surface looking its best.

What Can We Strip Paint From?

We can strip paint from a variety of surfaces and objects. We strip paint from wood, metal, and other surfaces. Objects that can have paint stripped can range in size from small to fairly large. Our paint stripping process can be used on objects and items including the following:


  • Doors
  • Historical windows
  • Chairs
  • Tables
  • Cabinets
  • Dressers
  • Racks and other fixtures
  • Boats
  • Marine parts


Contact us to see if we can strip paint from your furniture or other objects - chances are, it’s a job we can take on!

Complete Your Project By Refinishing It

After old paint has been removed, refinishing furniture and other surfaces can breathe new life into them. If you don’t want to refinish your items yourself, we can do it for you! Refinishing a piece of furniture or other object often entails three steps, especially for wood surfaces. These steps are:


  1. Seal the surface: Some surfaces, especially wood, need to have a sealant applied before applying new paint to protect the underlying surface and create a surface for new paint to adhere to. 
  2. Paint or stain: Depending on the look you want to achieve, paint or stain can be applied to wood surfaces, and paint can be applied to most other surfaces. After one coat is applied and dried, additional coats may be applied for full coverage. 
  3. Apply a finish: A finishing coat seals in your paint or stain and keeps your new paint protected from scratches and marks. Depending on the finish you choose, it can also create a shiny finish for your piece of furniture. 


We’re happy to tackle your whole project, from paint stripping and surface prep to painting and finishing so that you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Our Work

See some examples of work we’ve done with paint stripping in the past below.

Why Choose VanDerKolk Painting For Paint Stripping?

VanDerKolk Painting began in 1991 as a residential painting company. Our services quickly expanded to meet the needs of our customers. Today, we offer commercial, industrial, and residential painting services, including paint stripping. We set ourselves apart from the competition with our outstanding customer service and dedication to providing you with the highest quality work. We provide a warranty on all our work to ensure your satisfaction. 


A big difference between us and our competitors is that all of our painters are full-time employees, and we never work with contractors. This allows us to have tight control over scheduling and training. We ensure the right painter is matched to your project and that they have the skills and experience required to do the job right. 


See the difference in our services for yourself when you schedule your fee quote. We’ll answer any questions you may have about your project and provide you with a transparent pricing estimate. You can call us at 616-202-6570, or fill out our quote request form to get started today.

Paint Stripping Service Near You

VanDerKolk Painting is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and serves the surrounding West Michigan area for painting services. We serve Ada, Byron Center, Cascade, East Grand Rapids, East Lansing, Fruitport, Grand Haven, Grandville, Holland, Hudsonville, Jamestown, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Rockford, Spring Lake, and Zeeland. Contact us today so we can get started on your paint stripping project.

Paint Stripping FAQs 

  • Can I Do Paint Stripping Myself?

    Stripping paint from an old piece of furniture is something that many handy DIYers can tackle themselves. However, it’s a project that does take some dedication and elbow grease. If you don’t want to take on the hassle and the mess, or if you don’t want to invest in the tools and supplies needed to strip paint, paint stripping is a job that can easily be handed off to a professional instead. 

  • Does Paint Need To Be Stripped Before Repainting?

    If an object or piece of furniture has paint that’s still in good condition, you don’t necessarily have to remove paint before adding a new layer of paint. However, if the paint is chipped or cracked, or if the surface is uneven, you should strip the old paint before repainting for the best result. If you want to stain wood rather than paint, old paint will have to be stripped in order to access the wood surface. 

  • Does All Paint Have To Be Removed Before Repainting?

    If you plan to repaint an item or piece of furniture, the old paint does not have to be completely removed. As long as chipped or peeling paint is removed and the piece is sanded down to create a smooth, even surface, tiny bits of old paint can be painted over and completely covered with new paint. If you plan to stain a piece of wood furniture, all the paint will have to be completely removed because you’ll be able to see any old paint that’s left. 
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