Do I have to use mineral spirits after stripping?

Author: Miss Lydia Legros II  |  Last update: Sunday, August 31, 2025

Citrus strippers such as CitriStrip have a wax in them to keep the product from drying out after it's applied to the surface. Mineral spirits is recommended after the stripping solution because it's important to break down those waxes before getting started.

Do I have to use mineral spirits after stripping wood?

You have to neutralize the stripper after it's done its job using ``Afterwash'' or mineral spirits or Naptha, and they will remove any wax in the stripper. That said, I prefer to do repairs before stripping, if possible, because the stripper will stain the repairs in the same way as the rest of the piece.

What to put on wood after stripping?

Use an oil coat or a varnish or shellac. Also, a stain will remedy all of this and you may not need the extra coats. Experiment with small patches first. This is normal for wood to look pretty bad right after stripping.

What do you clean up after Citristrip?

Use a clean abrasive pad dipped in After Wash or Odorless Mineral Spirits to loosen remaining finish and remove any residue. Surface should be completely clean and dry before refinishing.

What can be used in place of mineral spirits?

Acetone. Whether you are stocking up your workshop, painting company, or garage, mineral spirits and acetone are both very handy to have around. These common solvents are ideal for a large variety of uses.

Removing Citristrip Residue with Mineral Spirits (TIME-LAPSE)

How to clean wood without mineral spirits?

How To:
  1. Mix three parts of oil to one part vinegar in a jar. ...
  2. Dust your furniture with a damp cloth.
  3. Dip a clean cloth into the homemade mixture from the first step. ...
  4. Repeat the process until the grime lifts off completely.
  5. Dry the surface of wood furniture with a clean dry cloth.

Why are mineral spirits illegal?

Many counties have banned mineral spirits due to their toxic nature. Unfortunately, this means that do-it-yourselfers have to find alternatives for the same. Here are a few substitutes that work the same way. Acetone – It is a solvent and hence can be used for cleaning or degreasing.

How do you remove Citristrip residue without mineral spirits?

On projects where a water-based product will be used, we recommend cleaning with Acetone which evaporates quickly and removes any residue.

What removes residue after stripping paint?

Do-it-Yourself Methods. One of the most common ways to clean down wood after it has been stripped is to employ a combination of vinegar and water.

Can you wash Citristrip off with water?

Can you clean Citristrip with water? Not really. You need a solvent to do most of the work. Scrape off the bulk of the stripper, use a solvent to clean the residue, and then finish with a water rinse to wrap everything up.

What to do after stripping?

Consider jobs that could find your stripping experience to be an asset, such as healthcare or social work. Also consider industries where you still have a lot of control over your own schedule and work output, such as starting your own business, careers in social media, or careers in finance or web design.

How do you fix blotchy wood after stripping?

Use a wood stain stripper if the blotches are too severe to fix with sanding and re-staining. After stripping, re-sand the wood evenly and apply a conditioner before re-staining. Consider a gel stain. It tends to give a more even finish.

Do I have to sand after stripping wood?

After stripping the wood, sanding helps to remove any remaining finish, smooth the surface, and prepare it for the new finish.

What is the next step after stripping wood?

Once you're done stripping and the surface is dry, wipe with mineral spirits using a clean cloth to remove any residual stripper. Allow the table to dry fully before moving on to sanding.

Do you need to wipe off mineral spirits?

It's important to wipe in one direction to avoid redistributing the residue back onto the surface of the wood with the cloth. Dry the wood with a dry rag. Air dry the wood- shouldn't have to wait no more than 20 minutes.

How to dispose of mineral spirits rags?

No, if you have paper towels or rags that are soaked in mineral spirits, you can't throw them out like you normally would with household trash. When contaminated in this way, such objects are deemed hazardous waste and can only legally be disposed of with a hazardous waste collection program.

How to treat wood after paint stripping?

After stripping, thoroughly clean the wood surface with mineral spirits or denatured alcohol to remove any residual stripper and paint residue. Finally, sand the wood again with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out any rough spots and prepare the surface for refinishing or repainting.

Can you leave a paint remover on too long?

If you are removing paint indoors using a paint stripper, we wouldn't recommend leaving it overnight, however, if you are outdoors, then it can be beneficial to leave the paint stripper overnight for maximum impact.

Can I use acetone instead of mineral spirits?

Paint Thinning: Mineral spirits are commonly used for thinning oil-based paints and varnishes, while acetone is mainly used for thinning lacquers and some types of paints.

How do you remove mineral spirit residue?

Do the cleanup per the instructions from Citrus Strip, then a final wipe down with lacquer thinner or acetone to remove any residue. Same here, lacquer thinner is my solvent of choice for cleaning all kinds of stuff. Mineral spirits does leave a residue behind. Think of it as a cleaner version of diese/kerosene.

What can I use instead of mineral spirits to clean wood?

Best Mineral Spirits Substitutes
  • Denatured Alcohol. Denatured alcohol comes from fermented sugar, meaning it's ethanol. ...
  • Acetone. ...
  • Charcoal Lighter Fluid. ...
  • Turpentine. ...
  • Isopropyl Alcohol. ...
  • Oil, Soap, and Water. ...
  • Citrus Solvent. ...
  • Vegetable Oil.

What is rule 66 mineral spirits?

ArroChem's Mineral Spirits Rule 66 – Solvent 140, also known as White Spirits, is a hydrocarbon-based solvent derived from petroleum distillation that is hydrotreated to reduce aromatics and olefins. It is a widely used industrial solvent with excellent dissolving capabilities and a relatively high flash point.

How bad is it to breathe in mineral spirits?

Mineral Spirits Inhalation Associated With Hemolysis, Pulmonary Edema, and Ventricular Fibrillation.

Why is mineral spirits so expensive?

Mineral spirits require extra energy to purify and achieve a more refined content, accounting for its higher average cost.

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