Stripping and Repainting 80+ Year Old Apartment?
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…
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!)
I have done a lot of stripping of wood, so I want to add 2 things. I use Peelaway; the trick is to seal the Peelaway and let it do its thing for a long time (8 hours at least) before you try to remove. You can use clear plastic, (lightweight; drycleaning bags work great). Still means a couple of passes before it is clear enough for a fussy person (like me).
Also, an experienced person with a heat gun…I don’t know. I have a friend who owned a mansion in Newark that he was slowly renovating for years. He hired a professional (right…) who burned his house down with a heat gun! Proceed with caution….
I’ve used Peelaway 7. It removes the top three or so layers of paint quite easily if left on for 24 hours (not longer). Like the other solutions, it’s messy. They claim it’s quite safe, but I feel much better wearing a respirator and with lots of ventilation and/or a fan. FYI you can buy a respirator at a paint store. They cost about $80.
Any way you do it, stripping requires care. You can destroy the floors, permanently stain porcelain fixtures, and set the house on fire. I sure wouldn’t want any renter doing it in my place. Be careful.
i think the thing you are missing here with the heat gun vs. SPR is that SPR is much safer to use because you will be stripping lead paint. the SPR doesn’t get hot enough to release lead into the air. a heat gun will which puts you and your neighbors at some risk. it also works better.
also, i understand you want to be cheap but i don’t think this is a smart time to be cheap. spend the 400 for the SPR and when you are done with it, sell it on ebay for between 250-300. that’s exactly what SPR the company does with their rental units. considering how long you’ll be at it, (i know from experience) get the right tool. when you sell, it’ll have been a cheap rental. hell, you could sell it on this site.
lastly, i like that you want to buy the place but ironically, the work you are going to do is only going to make it more expensive for you to buy. I would really reconsider doing it. you are going to spend a lot of man hours improving someone else’s investment.
Thanks for all the comments everyone. I have spoken with the landlord about my plans, and they’ve given me the green light. I’ve got a couple reasons for going through with this work, even though it’s a rental. First of all, the unit is rent stabilized, and at a good price, and has a great location. Also, the plan is to stay in the unit until I can afford to buy. That being said, I’m a recent graduate with a limited income, so buying is quite a ways off on the horizon. I don’t have a hard time imagining staying in the apartment for ten years, so I feel that the work I’m planning on doing is a reasonable investment.
i meant heat guns
paint guns can very easily singe and burn wood. be VERY careful.
Still can’t believe this is a RENTAL!
Heat guns work. They not only smell; if over done they can burn the wood. Be careful!
Should really talk to LL!! I trust you have.
W/liquid strippers: don’t burn your skin and use a fine steel wool to remove the ‘gunk’.
It will take longer than you think!! Can’t you invest in some nice art?, or buy the apt?, or …
Have you asked the owner? Without his/her permission, this could get you evicted. And for reason – you are potentially using toxic chemicals and or heat guns on his/her property. Let it go.
Park Slope Paint Strippers, on Union St in Park Slope.
Single panels doors are $200 to strip and sand.
718 783 4112