Stripping Trim?
We’ve got layers and layers of paint on the windowsills in our co-op. Does anyone have good advice about the best way to get them stripped? Should we just nut up and do it? I’m loathe to just slap a new coat on, as the stuff below is a bit cracked.
We’ve got layers and layers of paint on the windowsills in our co-op. Does anyone have good advice about the best way to get them stripped? Should we just nut up and do it? I’m loathe to just slap a new coat on, as the stuff below is a bit cracked.
If it’s possible, remove the trim and strip it someplace where you can lay down lots of drop cloths. Using chemical strippers on vertical trim can leak on to finished floors.
Here’s a small picture tutorial on paint stripping:
http://www.brooklynrowhouse.com/stripping_a_door
Peel Away 1 is awesome on flat surfaces. The odors aren’t particularly toxic, and because the paint comes up wet you wont’ get the lead dust. Takes a little practice to use correctly, but it’ll take 5-7 layers off at a time. A heat gun will work, too.
You can also buy a heat gun from home depot & strip it that way — you’ll still need a respirator & an open window, but I just did a door that way and it was much less messy than stripper.
first of all the old paint could be a lead paint. It must not be sanded off because lead paint dust kills kittens.
Otherwise you have few options:
buy a can of paint stripper, respirator and heavy duty gloves and putty knifes from Lawes.
or buy a $600 infrared stripping tool.
or pay somebody to do it.
if you going to do it with chemical stripper you will need to ventilate the room. So wait until weather is good.