But eventually, you’ll have problems again.
The solution is to scrape the paint.
Using all three tools makes paint scraping less tedious and time-consuming, and it produces longer-lasting, professional results.
sanjeri / Getty Images
Warning
Paint sold before 1978 may contain lead.
If lead is present, follow EPA recommendations for its removal.
Wire brushes are inexpensive and quick to put into action, as opposed to apower sanderthat requires set-up time.
Iuliia Alekseeva / Getty Images
Though easy to use and cheap, wire brushes have their limitations.
Brushes will remove only the loosest, raised, peeling, and blistered paint.
If the paint is even moderately attached to the surface, the brush will not remove it.
Art-Benco / Getty Images
Not only that but brushing can embed semi-attached paint further into the wood.
Do not target any areas yet and avoid pressing too hard on the brush.
Clean the Wire Brush
When finished, clean the wire brush under running water.
KalachevsStockStudio / Getty Images
Shake out the brush and thoroughly dry it with a heat gun or on a towel.
Wire brushes eventually will rust if not properly dried.
Run your sharp tool over a whetstone to hone the blade.
The blade does not need to be razor-sharp.
It only needs to be shaper than the blunt scraper.
Scrape Loose Paint With the Blunt Tool
Begin with the blunt tool.
Put the scraper end under any loose paint flakes.
If using a putty knife, bend it and gently push.
Continue pushing until the paint no longer comes up easily.
Take care not to gouge the surface when working with a sharp scraper.
Clean the Scrapers
Wipe off the scrapers with a clean, dry cloth.
If needed, wash the scrapers under running water.
Be sure to dry them to prevent rust.
While heat guns are slow, they are effective.
Some heat guns come with scraper attachments, which can make the paint-removal process even easier.
The combined heat gun/scraper can be difficult to control, though.
So, it’s usually more effective to work with a heat gun and a separate manual scraper.
If not, simply hold your heat gun in one hand and a blunt scraper in the other hand.
Heat up the Heat Gun
Plug in the heat gun.
Select a low or medium setting to begin with.
Turn on the heat gun and let it run for about a minute to heat up.
Tip
Overheating the paint can make it gummy and harder to remove.
Practice will help you determine the right amount of heating for easy removal.
Heat the Paint
Begin with the heat gun turned to its low setting.
If you have the scraper attachment, hold the tip of the tool close to the painted surface.
If not, hold the heat gun a few inches away from the surface.
Slightly waving the gun over the surface, let the paint heat up for roughly 20 seconds.
When to Call a Professional
Scraping paint across limited areas can be a manageable task.
But for scraping paint on large areas, like an entire house, call a professional painting company.
For lead paint, call an abatement company for safe removal.
Protect Your Family From Sources of Lead.United States Environmental Protection Agency.
