Paint Stripping Dos & Don’ts

paint stripping

Paint striping involves the process of paint removal from a surface. The removal can be done through various methods which include scraping, electrical removal and chemical removal. Nevertheless, the chemical removal is the most preferred method for its ease of use and effectiveness.

The Dos of Paint Removal

Always buy and use the right stripper that will fit in your job. For every material, there is a suitable stripper that can be used on it. There is also a big distinction between strippers when it comes to pains, stains and other kinds of finishes. Always wear glasses to prevent the paint particles from entering into the eyes. These particles can be harmful and painful if they get into the eyes. Do wear gloves when removing paints. That’s necessary for your health. Some of the paints are harmful in case they get in contact with the stains and removing chemicals. When paint stripping, do it evenly by applying the stripper from the upper part to the downwards. The strippers will smoothly flow and distribute in a better way. If the items to be stripped are movable, do it from the outside as most of the strippers operate well under sun’s heated temperatures. Always remove the paint in without rushing. It is good to read and follow the steps that may come with your purchased stripper. For instance, you are supposed to wait for the chemical remover to soak before you start stripping. It ensures it effectively softens the surface to be removed.

The Don’ts of Paint Removal

Do not hurriedly handle paint stripping; you may find that some parts are not attended while others have an excess of it. That would be wastage. It’s necessary to have a professional do it for you. Do not use stains meant to remove some other finishes to remove pains. Such a practice will lead to poor effectiveness or and wastage since there are strippers made for paint removal specifically. Do not cause damage while stripping the paints.

You have to be careful when removing the colours. For instance, if you are sanding, you have to do it in a manner that doesn’t affect the flatness and originality of the surface. Don’t remove paints with hands or nails. At times, the dry paints may even be hard enough to cause damages. For instance, sharp portions of the removed paints may even cut into your skin. These paints can be dangerous to health, especially if they contain lead chemicals. Do not use materials that may affect the contents being under paint removal. Use of plastic cannot bring much damage. Do not use the strippers indoors. Some are powerful and may cause health hazards to you. It’s better to hire professionals to do it for you; they usually have protective mechanisms such as clothing and helmets.

Best Paint Removal Alternative

Paint stripping involves a simplified process of paint removal. However, the process requires a lot of care to avoid wastage, damage and health hazards. It’s recommendable to hire Premium Door Stripping‘s services to prevent potential problems and worries while you just await the best results.

Best Varnish Remover for Wood

varnish remover

Before you do a refinish of your furniture, you require an effective chemical stripping agent to help you remove the varnish. In choosing a varnish remover, the effectiveness of the stripper is an important consideration. You have to choose a chemical stripper that is quick and safe to use. It’s important to first verify if the said stripper is actually a varnish remover. This article takes you through the various options of varnish remover and how to settle on the best.

What should you consider in a Varnish Remover?

First, you have to consider the potency of the varnish remover. Strong paint strippers have an upper hand in removing thicker finishes. Secondly, you should go for a chemical stripper that is safer to use. Even though most strippers are flammable, it’s important to go for the one that has fewer dangers. Additionally, you should consider the price of the strippers. The price should coincide with the effectiveness of the stripper. Lastly, you should consider the form of the stripper. Most-effective varnish removers come in liquid and semi-paste form.

What are the Best Varnish Removers?

Before buying the varnish stripper, it’s crucial to ascertain that your furniture finish is varnish. If it’s not varnish, then there is no need for the chemical stripper as you can use ordinary caustic chemicals. To check for varnish, you should look at the finish closely. Varnish is heavy and mostly, amber colour. You can also identify brush stroke on the wood finish and these are normally absent in thin finishes. The following groups of chemical strippers are the best for varnish removal:

  1. Methylene Chloride Agents: These stripping chemicals are regarded as the strongest. The strippers are effective against heavy varnish coats. Varnish strippers of this category also contain other components such as caustic to neutralise their strong adverse effects. Methylene Chloride irritates the skin and the eyes. It’s recommended to wear safety gears such as the goggle’s and gloves when working with these varnish strippers.
  1. N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) Strippers: Due to the health concerns linked to methylene chloride strippers, some manufacturers substitute methylene chloride with NMP. NMP is considered less toxic and safer to use. Even though the chemical strippers are not as strong as Methylene chloride, the stripping effects are fair. There are situations where the chemical strippers would contain portions of potent stripping chemicals such as methanol, ketone, and toluene. The agents are known to cling finely to vertical wood surfaces, thus effective in varnish removing. Maybe the only concern is that the chemicals are flammable.
  1. Biochemical Strippers: These are the safest strippers to use mainly because they are of plant origin. Important chemicals in these strippers include citric acid (from lemon or oranges), terpene (from pine), and lactic acid (from pulp). The advantages of these strippers are:

Conclusion

  •  They are eco-friendly, thus safe
  • Odourless when using, thus flexible

Overall, the varnish removers are important if you want to do a refinish. Getting the right stripper is vital if you want to achieve the best results. With an effective stripper, you get value for your money as you also enjoy great varnish removal.