Paint Removal

16 years ago

I have to remove the old paint from the headers of my front porch. Originally I was going to chemically strip, but a friend suggested I get a cheap angle grinder from Home Depot and sand it off using a sanding disc.

I'm not experienced with paint removal at all- any suggestions as to how to proceed?

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Comments (3)

wily_william
16 years ago
I'm surprised that other members haven't jumped on this. As a housing rehabilitation specialist for a municipality I strongly suggest NOT using any sort of abrasives for paint removal: You'll raise micro particles of dust--and while yours may not be a lead-based paint, it'd be best to assume it is. And when the dust settles, it will settle on horizontal surfaces--like handrails, floors and window sills--surfaces that may be touched and the dust ingested, following. (In the case of floors, the dust may be tracked from the porch into the living area.) Or you may contaminate the soil around the porch exterior.

I am removing paint from an old, old door, and I'm using a chemical stripper that contains methylene chloride. (I am aware of other, allegedly less risky products, but IÂve not ever used them.) I have also done some scraping and pulling off thick, rubbery slabs of peeling paint (I can't imagine how many times the door has been painted over the last 100+/- years), and my paint-removal wardrobe includes heavy rubber gloves and an expensive respirator--and eye protection. I would suggest, too, that if you do any scraping of your porch header you spray the areas with water to keep the dust down.

You may find, too, that you needn't remove every bit of the paint from the headers. I'm removing only enough paint from the door I'm working on to provide a good substrate for a new surface coat.

You can find out more about paint removal by calling 1-800-424-LEAD (5323). Ask for the EPA brochure "Reducing Lead Hazards When Remodeling Your Home."

Good luck. Be careful: This is Friday the 13th. Stay safe.
hchristie
16 years ago
Hi

Are you using peel away? Does a stripper work better then a heat gun? Also there is that infra red type of heat gun supposedly doesn't heat up the paint enough to vaporize the lead but heard it is very slow.

thanks
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Faron79
16 years ago
I've heard good stuff about Peel-Away in the Paint-industry "trade" magazines. By it's nature (like most strippers) it keeps lead encapsulated. It's much easier to be around though! You won't forget how to spell your name after awhile!

* Not sure if I'd waste time with a gun of ANY type...you'll be at it 'till Xmas.
* "Normal heat-guns are way too risky on a house.
* As Wily said, you don't have to get every molecule of existing paint off. Just scrape to firm paint layers, feather-sand the surface, remove any dust, prime & paint.
* No need to use Oil primers/paints anymore. Get a TOP QUALITY Latex primer, & apply 2 coats of an Exterior Satin or Semi-gloss.
* Use good brushes & tools too.
* If you're spending $20+ for primer, & $20-$50/gal for Paint, that's about right.
* Ignore anything less than $20/gallon. It's not worth your time.

Faron

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Paint Removal

Comments (3)

wily_william

hchristie

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