Painting - Removing paint from wood trim
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Leafs
12-30-04, 04:39 PM
I bought a beautiful older house with lots of wood detailed trim around the door ways, and stairwell. The previous owner painted the wood black semi-gloss. I am trying to remove the paint to expose the wood work. I am using a chemical stripper, and it's taking forever!!!! Is there a better way? I was thinking of using a heat gun first, then the stripper. Would that be better? Please let me know before I go out and spend money on something that wouldn't help. Thanks in advance
Painterman
12-30-04, 06:03 PM
Leafs,
you might want to try "Peal-a-way" or something similar. Peal-a-way is a paste stripper that you apply and then cover with a plastic-backed paper, this keeps the stripper from drying before it has a chance to soften the paint. follow the directions on the container. You say this is an older house so chances are the trim is a Hard wood. I would still be careful with the use of a heat gun, it is VERY easy to burn wood, especially old or intricate mouldings. Try the Peal-a-way or you can use Marine grade Semi-paste and cover the area with foil. You will also want a set of dental picks or plaster carving chisels to get into the fine areas. Small brass or stainless steel brushes, but be careful they can fuzz the surface grain if you scrub to hard.
Be careful working with ANY paint stripper, protect yourself and surrounding areas (strippers usually contain Methyl-Chloride or similar, good ventilation is a must! And it will burn your skin.)
Happy stripping
~Painterman
you might want to try "Peal-a-way" or something similar. Peal-a-way is a paste stripper that you apply and then cover with a plastic-backed paper, this keeps the stripper from drying before it has a chance to soften the paint. follow the directions on the container. You say this is an older house so chances are the trim is a Hard wood. I would still be careful with the use of a heat gun, it is VERY easy to burn wood, especially old or intricate mouldings. Try the Peal-a-way or you can use Marine grade Semi-paste and cover the area with foil. You will also want a set of dental picks or plaster carving chisels to get into the fine areas. Small brass or stainless steel brushes, but be careful they can fuzz the surface grain if you scrub to hard.
Be careful working with ANY paint stripper, protect yourself and surrounding areas (strippers usually contain Methyl-Chloride or similar, good ventilation is a must! And it will burn your skin.)
Happy stripping
~Painterman
BobF
12-31-04, 12:57 PM
I agree with using peel-away. Make sure you read AND follow the directions.
Too many h/o mis-apply the chemical strippers. You need to brush it on and leave it sit. Do not keep going over ("touching up") what you already did. As soon as you take the brush back over it, ou have disrupted the process.
Another mistake h/o make is to be in too much of a hurry. Give the stripper time to work.
Too many h/o mis-apply the chemical strippers. You need to brush it on and leave it sit. Do not keep going over ("touching up") what you already did. As soon as you take the brush back over it, ou have disrupted the process.
Another mistake h/o make is to be in too much of a hurry. Give the stripper time to work.