Forum Archive: Stripping

For twin doors on a brownstone, badly in need of stripping and refinishing, who would you suggest? What’s a reasonable cost? Any suggestions on materials and methods?

Any recs for a handyman/helper to help me finish stripping paint off baseboards and trim in entryway? I also need to find someone to dip the stair balusters. Thanks

How do you remove old paint and rust stains from porch and facade of old limestone building?

Does anyone have Eddie Hibbert’s phone number? He’s the guy on Greene and Grand that salvages architectural components and does stripping and refinishing. Thanks!

I’m preparing to repaint some of the rooms in my pre-war apartment, and thought I could use some advice from the people here who have experience with painting and stripping in older units. The building is a little more than 80 years old, and my apartments suffers from layers and layers of cheap and poorly applied paint. I’m also sure there’s plenty of lead paint underneath the surfaces. The effect on the trim is something that could generously be described as a “cake frosting” look. Since I’m going to be repainting regardless, I’ve been exploring the possibility of partially or totally stripping the areas where the paint is really gunked on, namely the window and door frames, using chemical strippers. I don’t necessarily have my heart set on stripping the trim down to the wood, I’d just like to have a smoother, nicer surface to paint on top of so I’m not exacerbating the current situation. That being said, it doesn’t really seem to me like it’s possible to go ‘half-way’ with something like stripping – you either do it or you don’t. I’ve got some experience with painting and home projects, but this is the first time I’ve taken on a major project like this on my own, and there’s a lot of experience I don’t have. So my main question, then, after reading and hearing so much about stripping being an incredibly time-consuming and aggravating process, is this – am I an idiot for considering trying to get rid 80+ of rental unit paint? Considering it’s a rental, is it worth the time and effort? If I go this route, I’m going to try to stay away from the methyl-chloride based strippers. I’m intrigued by Ready Strip and SOY Gel in particular. Does anyone have any experience with these products?

(Sorry for the longish post – if you stuck with me this far, thanks!)

Can anyone suggest someone for wall paper removal? How much does something like that normally cost? Just one medium living room. I have read it is hard and annoying to do, so for the right price I would rather just have someone do it.

Seeing mixed reviews for every heat gun – even the high priced ones. Any recs? Should I invest in a Silent Paint Remover or is anyone interested in selling their old one?

Just a quick recommendation. I am very pleased with the work of a paint stripping contractor: well priced, clean, easy to work with and very professional.
He works on marble as well as wood and uses heatgun and chemicals.

His contact:
Emiliano
chavezlazaro@live.com
347-338-7321

Is located in Hackensack N.J. Lou retired after all but his nephew took over.I just did all the shutters in the house in less than a month, every 7 days I drop off pick up another set,its amazing the Parlor i did 1st then ones in Garden floor, & last the top floor seven windows 56 shutters later.
its’ worth the trip,drive, and the tolls.