Potential lead paint on stairs - solutions?

abankerbutnotafatcat

As the title says, we (ok, I) pulled up the nasty carpet on the stairs to find several layers of even nastier green gloss paint. The house is Victorian so i'm not taking any chances with sanding it.

I know that it is possible to use a heat gun or paint stripper but i've also read that you can paint over it. I wouldn't have thought the paint would stick without a key - has anyone tried this?

DVardysShadow

To key it, you need to sand it.

abankerbutnotafatcat

Has anyone got any experience of painting over potentially leaded paint??

jrrowleyws

Get some "wet and dry" sand paper (usually grey in colour) and sand it whilst it is wet. Use gloves and it will stop any dust. Then wipe up with a wet cloth.

Its not particularly nice stuff but providing you minimise dust you will be fine!

Valli

try reading THIS

abankerbutnotafatcat

Thanks guys, you've both come up with the answer to the puzzle - sand whilst wet so it presumably forms a paste rather than dust. Those hideous green stairs could soon be a thing of the past!!