Doors and Windows - Stripping paint from trim
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Stripping paint from trim
armbruster
04-28-03, 02:44 PM
My home was built in 1925 and the wood frame of the windows is beautiful oak that has been painted ? times. I need to remove the paint and do not want to remove the trim since this will likely crack the plaster. I also am not in favor of using chemicals since the family would revolt. It was recommended to use a heat gun. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
bungalow jeff
04-28-03, 09:37 PM
The chemical strippers will remove the lead paint without releasing lead fumes or dust through the house. You could also try orange peel type strippers, but they smell as bad as the chemcial strippers and require many times more applications.
The heat gun will release lead fumes, not get into tight areas, and can singe the wood (if not start a fire) if you are not very careful.
You may want to try a test area first. Many areas of a house in the 20's would be trimmed with paint grade oak. While it is superior to much of the finish grade material available today, there may be knots, filled checks and a random piece of trim from a different species that was handy.
The heat gun will release lead fumes, not get into tight areas, and can singe the wood (if not start a fire) if you are not very careful.
You may want to try a test area first. Many areas of a house in the 20's would be trimmed with paint grade oak. While it is superior to much of the finish grade material available today, there may be knots, filled checks and a random piece of trim from a different species that was handy.