Lead paint and paint over vs. stripping

16 years ago

I have an old antiques childs bed that if we ever have a child I'd like to use it for them. Until then I need to do something with it. Right now the previous owner had primed over it and I'm tempted to just paint over it as I don't have the time to strip etc. right now to do it myself and don't have the money to pay a professional.

Would an oil based paint be better at sealing in the lead paint that very likely is under the primer?

Eventually when I have money I'd like to pay somebody to strip it and stain the heart pine wood it is made of.

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Comments (8)

steve-va
16 years ago
Going from paint back to stain on pine can be a task....but thats another topic. Oil based paint will do a great job & look nice with less brush strokes noticeable. I know everyone is freaked out lately but I myself survived childhood with lead based paint everywhere. Just try to make sure your kid is well fed & doesn't need to eat the paint off the bed & everything will be fine :)
lyfia
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Steve, I believe the bed has the lead paint under the primer and yes the stripping part is another thing all itself hence wanting to pay somebody to do it. I figure oil based would be more durable even though I've had some good luck with SW water based enamel on bath cabinets.

I survivedthe lead based stuff too, but I never chewed or knawed on furniture either.
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There are new paints which have been developed and work like oil based. Primarily in the auto industry. You can go to an auto paint store and they will mix color, contents, ect. for whatever is needed. I had read the post you mentioned. There were many questions about my house regarding lead paint and certainly the 100s of old homes around here are in the same situation. Am not sure if this is true or not, but have been told if an old house has layers of paint which are not lead it is not considered an issue. My house has the original shingles for siding. They are still in great shape, no clue how many coats of paint. But I'm not going to tear them all off and do something else. I do touch up every summer with paint. A great thing about having a white house. Plus, I've probably lived in houses my whole life with lead, eating fats up for question from years ago and my kids eating stuff no one probably knows about. What this does to me and them is up for grabs. I do understand concerns regarding children eating lead. I don't understand how the fact the very first layer of paint in my house which may have lead in it affects me. And what are they going to do with my artist paints/chalks/liquids? Been around those all my life too as have my children. Guess it is time for statistics and other info to smarten me up. Being old I guess this hasn't really been of concern, although I have thought of all exposed to through the years.
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Michael
16 years ago
Neither of you have died in car accidents either. But, others have died or been adversely affected by them.

Think twice before considering lead poisoning a minor issue.

Now our children are chewing on imported toys...

Michael
Faron79
16 years ago
Yeah, Lead IS SERIOUS.
Even if stripped, the "waste" has to be wrapped in plastic, etc.
If you eventually go that route...obvioulsy get estimates, etc.
Check with your area governments for local laws governing asbestos/removal-projects. In some states, you can't even touch the project without technically "breaking the law".

Faron
lyfia
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks Faron and Michael so I'm guessing you are saying that painting it over the primer that is already over the lead paint with oil paint is not going to seal it?
steve-va
16 years ago
Any substance even a natural one at a high enough concentration can kill anyone.
Faron79
16 years ago
If the primer is older than 30 days, you need to re-prime, preferably with Latex. It's too hardened off to bind well to new paint.
* Then...2 coats of a good quality Latex paint.
* I'd use a Satin or S/Gloss sheen for the "wear & tear" factor.
* If existing paint/old prime-coat is well-adhered & no chipping/flaking...you're OK on the lead issue. Go ahead & reprime/paint.
* If/when you do the stripping estimates, be aware...it might not be that cheap! Lead you know! Many precautions need to be taken/paid for on the re-finishers' end.

Faron
speckledcat
16 years ago
The best source of information about painting in general is PainterForum http://painterforum.com/ The experts who post there know a LOT about the chemical and mechanical aspects of priming and painting. If I were the OP, I would post the question on this site.

Lead paint and paint over vs. stripping

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lyfia
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Lead paint and paint over vs. stripping

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steve-va

lyfiaOriginal Author

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Michael

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lyfia
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