Stripwell QCS Review

Tired of using traditional chemical strippers to remove wood stain finishes from furniture, only to be left with a strong and unpleasant odor? If so, then Stripwell QCS is the perfect solution for you. When refinishing furniture with Stripwell QCS, you can easily and safely remove wood stains without having to deal with harsh chemicals or fumes.

This blog post will provide an overview of what Stripwell QCS is and how it works, as well as a review of my experience using it on furniture. So read on to discover if this eco-friendly product is right for your next project!

Stripwell QCS review with bottles of Stripwell QCS

Chemical strippers like Stripwell QCS are a popular choice for removing old wood stain finishes from furniture, as they can often be more effective and efficient than traditional sanding methods.

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At the end of this blog post, you’ll have a better understanding of how Stripwell QCS can easily and safely remove wood stains from furniture without harsh odors or fumes.

You will see for yourself how quick and easy it is to use, plus you’ll get an honest review of my experience with it.

So let’s dive in so you can see if this is the right chemical stripper for you.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I also may earn from other qualifying purchases with other companies or get free product to review and use. All opinions are my own.

What is Stripwell QCS?

Stripwell QCS, or Quick, Clean & Safe, is an eco-friendly and non-hazardous antique and vintage finish remover.

(Use code SUNLIGHT10 to get 10% off your order of Stripwell QCS!)

It is non-flammable, nearly non-toxic, and 100% biodegradable, making it a safe and environmentally-friendly option.

Stripwell QCS bottle label

While Stripwell QCS works effectively to remove 70%-80% of common antique and vintage finishes, it is not designed for removing modern wood finishes.

It is important to note that the effectiveness of QCS on different finishes may vary. While QCS can strip some paints, it is not specifically designed for paint removal.

Overall, QCS is a great option for those looking for a simple and safe solution for removing antique and vintage finishes on furniture and household items.

Pros and Cons of Using Stripwell QCS

Stripwell QCS is an increasingly popular option among those looking to remove old finishes from furniture, as it is a non-flammable, nearly non-toxic and 100% biodegradable product.

Its list of pros makes it appealing for many users, while its cons should also be kept in mind.

One of the greatest benefits of Stripwell QCS is that it doesn’t have any harsh fumes or need mineral spirits to clean off the residue.

This makes it a great option for those who need to work indoors, as well as for those looking for a more eco-friendly solution.

In addition, QCS can be used on various types of antique and vintage finishes. It also may work on modern finishes, but it’s not guaranteed.

Pros

  • Works just as well as other chemical strippers
  • No harsh fumes
  • Quick and easy to use
  • No need for mineral spirits or other cleaners
  • Can be used indoors

However, one of the potential downsides of using Stripwell QCS is that it can be more expensive than other chemical strippers.

Because this product isn’t available in stores, you will have to order it online, which can add to the cost of your project.

Furthermore, it isn’t designed for removing modern finishes and its effectiveness on various types of finishes may vary.

Cons

  • More expensive than other chemical strippers
  • Not available in stores
  • Not designed for modern wood finishes or painted finishes
  • Effectiveness can vary on different finishes

How to Use Stripwell QCS on Furniture

Stripwell QCS is an excellent choice for removing stains and old finishes from furniture safely and effectively.

To get started, gather the necessary materials such as Stripwell QCS, a plastic scraper, 0000 steel wool, paper towels, water and a container to scrape the residue into.

When using this product it is important to pre-test on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it works as expected.

  • Spray on the QCS, then let it sit for 15 minutes, spray another coat of QCS on, and then let it sit for another 15 minutes.
Spraying Stripwell QCS onto wood top
Scraping Stripwell QCS and old finish with plastic scraper
  • Then scrape off the old finish with the plastic scraper to get most of the finish off.
  • Scrub off any leftover finish with a 0000 steel wool pad that was dipped in QCS.
  • For very thick finishes, apply another coat of QCS and let it sit for 15 minutes. The scrape and scrub off anything that remains.
  • Use a paper towel to wipe off any excess residue, and then get some more paper towels damp with water to wipe off anything that remains behind.
  • Now you can let the wood dry before you refinish it!

Tip: Don’t cover the stripper with plastic. We do that with a different stripper, but it doesn’t work for Stripwell QCS.

Learn more about how to remove wood stain with a different chemical stripper here! And check out more tips and tricks on how to remove stain from wood without sanding here.

How many coats of Stripwell QCS are necessary for effective stripping?

It’s usually a good idea to use two coats of Stripwell QCS for effective stripping. Just make sure to apply the first coat evenly and let it sit for 15 minutes before applying the second coat.

This gives the product enough time to fully penetrate the old finish and loosen it from the wood surface.

However, depending on how thick and what type of finish you’re removing, you might need to apply one more coat.

For really thick finishes, we suggest putting on a third coat and letting it sit for another 15 minutes before scraping off the old finish.

If you’re not sure how many coats to use, just go with two and see how it turns out. If you can still see some finish on the wood, add another coat as necessary.

It’s always better to play it safe and apply an extra coat than to scrape too hard and risk damaging the wood.

In general, the number of coats you’ll need may vary depending on your specific situation, but if you stick to these general guidelines, you should achieve effective stripping with Stripwell QCS.

Can you use Stripwell QCS on painted surfaces?

Stripwell QCS is primarily designed to remove wood finishes, but it can also be effective in removing some types of paint. However, its performance on painted surfaces may vary and is not guaranteed.

It may work well on certain paints, especially those that are old and already starting to peel or flake off. But for more permanent and fresh paints, Stripwell QCS may not be as effective.

So you can use it on painted surfaces, but be aware that the results are not guaranteed and may not be as satisfactory as they would be on wood finishes.

Furniture Makeovers Using Stripwell QCS

Want to see Stripwell QCS in action? We have used it on a couple of our furniture makeovers so far, but are planning to use it more and more!

Here are some furniture makeovers where we have used Stripwell QCS.

My Stripwell QCS Review

My Stripwell QCS review is overwhelmingly positive.

This product works just as well as other chemical strippers that I use and is a great option for those looking for a non-flammable, nearly non-toxic, and 100% biodegradable solution for removing wood stain from furniture.

It does not have any harsh fumes and does not require mineral spirits to clean off the residue, which is so nice, because I don’t have to have as many supplies on hand to refinish furniture.

I also love that it is not flammable, because I don’t like working with flammable products in my home.

I love that it can be used indoors with no issue, making this a great option for those who need to work in tight spaces.

Spraying Stripwell CQS onto drawers indoors

The only downsides are that it is slightly more expensive than other strippers (about $10 more than what I used to use, plus the cost of shipping).

And you have to order it online and wait for it to be shipped to you.

But considering all of the pros, and how much better it is for our health and the environment, I think it’s worth it!

Overall, I highly recommend Stripwell QCS for anyone looking for an eco-friendly, non-flammable solution to strip and refinish furniture.

It’s a great option that works just as well as other chemical strippers! Check out more of the top furniture refinishing tools in this post.

More Refinishing Furniture Ideas

Click here for the paint removal checklist and guide

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2 Comments

  1. Hello, I was considering buying this product to remove varnish from a stairway railing/newel posts, etc. It was built/varnished in 1991, is that considered modern? Just want to make sure since it says it doesn’t work well on modern finishes…thanks!

    1. I bet it would work on finishes from 91. It has worked for me on modern finishes as well as vintage and antique finishes.

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