April 2020 - Premium Door Stripping

Are you hoping to restore a section of crown moulding or a door to its former glory?

If so, this often involves stripping layers of paint that may have been present for decades. This can represent a somewhat involves process depending upon the type of paint, its age and the number of layers.

However, you will also need to be careful that the underlying wood is not damaged. This brings up an important question.

Could you possible harm the wood if you happen to be stripping water-based (latex) paint? Let’s examine some factors that need to be taken into account.

Issues with the Stripping Agent

While solutions such as varnish remover for wood are somewhat harsh due to the presence of chemicals such as turpentine, the majority of water-based formulations tend to be less damaging to the wood.

However, they may still contain solvents such as alcohol. This is why you should avoid allowing the stripping agent to remain in contact with the wood for prolonged periods of time.

You could otherwise encounter issues such as stains or desiccation (extreme dryness). This is particularly relevant if you happen to be dealing with a very porous wood.

Mechanical Mistakes to Avoid

Perhaps the most common form of damage results from accidentally chipping or gouging the wood during the removal process.

This is why it is best to work with blunt instruments such as a putty knife or even an abrasive pad (such as those manufactured by 3M). These will help to lessen the chances that a costly mistake is made.

Removing water-based paint from wood can be challenging and yet, the results are well worth the effort.

If you would like to obtain further professional advice, please feel free to contact a representative at Premium Door Stripping. We are always happy to help.

Initial Preparation For Removing Paint From A Garage Door

It is first important to wash away any loose dirt or debris that may be present with a hose or a power washer on low settings. Not only will you be dealing with a relatively clean surface, but the mechanical action of the water can help to further loosen any paint that may already be chipping. Allow at least 24 hours for the garage doors to dry before continuing.

Dealing with Loose Paint

Loose paint can normally be removed with the use of a putty knife or similar scraping tool.

Although the metal paint stripping process is rather straightforward, you will need to be more careful when dealing with wood (you might otherwise mistakenly cause a gouge).

Be sure to remove any stubborn paint from corners and crevasses, as this is where it can persist for years at a time.

Addressing More Challenging Spots

There may be some extremely stubborn locations. In this case, additional mechanical options such as the use of a rotary sander may provide adequate results.

You could also consider the use of a paint stripper (depending upon the formulation).

This will normally address the majority of paint that remains. Once all of the paint has been removed, wash the door down to address any dust or debris that may still remain.

Please contact Premium Door Stripping for additional advice or to enquire about our services.