Stripping paint from old pine doors

Jolaaled

Hi all

Does anyone have any tips on removing thick and old layers of paint from old pine (doors). I really don't want to use chemicals if at all possible..
I was thinking that I could gently just scrape away, but is there anyway of softening the paint to make this job easier and less likely to damage the wood as i scrape??

THANKS

freddykrueger

Jolaaled wrote: »

Hi all

Does anyone have any tips on removing thick and old layers of paint from old pine (doors). I really don't want to use chemicals if at all possible..
I was thinking that I could gently just scrape away, but is there anyway of softening the paint to make this job easier and less likely to damage the wood as i scrape??

THANKS

If you have a number of them why don't you send them off to get dipped - by far the easiest way to strip the door especially if there are several coats of paint that have built up over the years.

vaio

it's chemicals or heat you need to get paint off

If not marking/damaging the wood is important then chemical is the way to go

mirrorimage0

def dip and strip, the amount of time alone it would take you to do the doors is impractical if you work it out on an hourly rate

muskoka

I had 8 old hemlock? doors dipped & stripped.

arroli

Dont use Polycell stripper that is supposed to "form a crust" of old paint and peel off..its useless..just tried it on a painted door frame..give me nitromors any time- even with smell and toxic fumes!

ab7167

Yup, I got 4 doors dipped and they came up beautifully. Man came and picked them up, delivered them back a week later - I think it was £40 per door?

Definitley the way to go, gets into all the nooks and crannies. Have also tried to strip paint (about 8 layers) with Nitromors. Never, ever again - took about 3 solid days and I must have forked out nigh on £40 on the chemicals by the end.

Jolaaled

Thanks for all your replies and advice, guys.

I'm def not going to use chemicals.
I would go for dip and strip (have used before and it is brill, I agree), but with this particular door, it is fixed to old wooden panelling in such a way that I can't really take it off the hinges without making significant damage to the panelling.
So it has to be stripped 'in situ' sadly.

I was wondering about Heat Guns...are they at all effective??

d.ross_2

Heat guns work, but you have to be very careful not to scorch the wood. Or even worse start a fire.

You shouldn't be so paranoid about chemicals. Just wear thick rubber gloves, eye protection, and a mask, and you won't have any problems.

Moomum

We are using heat guns to strip the paint in our new house, I think they are fab. We tried the polycell stripper and it was carp!

1984ReturnsForReal_2

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