Should I use heat gun to remove paint?

Deisler

Hi All,

I want to remove all paint from doors and window frames of my house as they start to flak off. I googled a bit and found people use chemical stripper or heat gun. I am a bit concerned about the chemical as I have a kid and a dog at home.

But then when I googled heat gun, I came across 'lead' in paint, which is 'extremely harzardous' from what I've read.

How do I know if the paint I want to get rid of contains lead in it? My house was build in 2002, and as far as i know the paint is original since then.

If the paint does contain lead then I will rather risk myself using chemical stripper...

Thanks,
D

macman

Lead was removed from most paint in 1992, so unless your builders were using up 8 year old old stock, it should be fine.

zaax

You need to start (and finish) very soon as because of the weather is not viable to paint outside after November

MadelinesMum

Hi, I needed a bit of practise with the heat gun as I accidently scorched some wood. I took the doors to a reclamation yard which had special vats to strip the paint.

ed110220

Heat gun is much quicker and less messy than paint stripping chemicals. I've been doing the 1940s doors and other woodwork in our house which were beyond just sanding down and repainting as so many layers of paint had built up. Does make them look a lot sharper and fresher.

I had one dipped and stripped but didn't like the result. Lots of tiny cracks opened up in it and it went a bit like drift wood, not a smooth finish to paint.

thescouselander

Heat gun all the way. Chemical strpper is nasty stuff and not worth the bother IMO.

dsw_123

I wouldn't bother with chemical stripper either but for a different reason. Nitromors no longer contains DCM ( Dichloromethane) which is the solvent which actually does the work. You would be better off trying to lick the paint off than use the rubbish they sell now.

konark

Agree with dsw_123 and ed110220, the EU made them remove all the chemicals that actually strip paint from liquid paintstripper, and the dip and strip, which I believe uses caustic soda, is very harsh on the wood, making it very dry and brittle.

paddypaws101

What about this stuff? Not used it myself but someone recommended it to me
http://www.wood-finishes-direct.com/product/peelaway-seven