Best way to remove old paint

greenfinger

Time to re-paint the front door, and I wondered what is the best way to get the old paint off? I dont want to use chemicals because of the environment, so its either a hot air gun or blow torch, I guess the hot air gun may burn the wood less and cause less toxic fumes? Any idea where to get a reliable, but cheap one from? Thanks.

mmillie

This isn't the answer you want to hear, but have you thought about the environmental impact from the electricity used by the heat gun, and by the manufacturing process for the heat gun too? It's not quite as simple as toxic chemicals vs hot air. I always use chemical paint stripper, because it works easily without damaging the wood. You can get environmental friendlier ones too, e.g.

http://www.ecosolutions.co.uk/Home-BaseA.htm

Martin

Enterprise_1701C

For simplicity I would use a heat gun - I managed to strip doors right down to the bare wood with it and I never have quite managed that with chemical stripper, and if you hold it far enough away it does not damage the wood. I used a gloss roller to repaint them too, and I got a lovely smooth finish. Sorry, can't recall where I got mine from but I do remember it cost under a tenner.

One tip - make sure you cover any carpet/floor involved, those sticky bits of paint get everywhere!!!

greenfinger

OK Heat gun it is, ideally connected to a solarpower plant ;-) now the hunt for the cheapest. Thank you for comments.