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.

The Dangers of Paint Stripping

Introduction

Paint stripping

When it comes to removal of old paints, paint strippers are fast acting, easy to use and versatile. Compared to sanding, paint stripping is the most readily considered method since it’s the least harmful removal process of lead-based paints. Despite this benefit, paint strippers contain chemicals that can pose serious health risks, if not properly used. Since some of this chemicals are readily absorbed via the skin and are easily inhaled, they can irritate both the skin and eyes, cause headache, nausea and loss of coordination, dizziness and even drowsiness. The hazards of paint stripping greatly vary depending on the stripping product used since different types of paint strippers contain different chemicals. Other hazards include:

Isocyanate paint strippers

Paint stripping, as a necessary part of Bathtub refinishing, has a lot of threats that it poses from the bathtub refinishing products. It has been identified that most bathtub refinishing products contain Isocyanates. Isocyanates are cancer-causing chemicals and were commonly used in the traditional bathtub refinishing process. Chemical off-gassing occurs long after the surface, i.e., the door surface, has been refinished, and poses health risks and severe illness to the end user or the applicator. The centre of diseases and control says that Isocyanates are usually irritating to the skin, the respiratory tract and the mucous membrane. This results in complications such as asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Strippers containing Toluene

Some paint strippers contain Toluene, as an active organic ingredient. Toluene is flammable and is commonly associated with epidemics such as dermatitis, narcosis, muscular weaknesses, and even heart arrhythmia at high levels. Its chronic exposure can cause brain damage, kidney and liver-related problems, due to this solvent vapour produced during the paint stripping process. They as well cause internal organs injury when absorbed via the skin.

Strippers containing Methanol

Other paint strippers contain Methanol. Methanol is known to be highly flammable and hence during paint stripping process, if the applicator is not careful, the Methyl Alcohol vapour may result in a fire breakout. The vapour also poses threats to health since, when inhaled, it enters the bloodstream and once absorbed, it acts on the central nervous system causing blurred vision, or even optic nerve damage, which may eventually lead to permanent loss of eyesight. The vapour is also dangerous if ingested.

Strippers containing Methylene Chloride

Paint strippers contain Methylene Chloride as a solvent. This solvent is non-flammable, and whose hazards include; irritation of the skin, causes pulmonary edema, irregular heartbeats, and can eventually cause a heart attack. Methylene Chloride is metabolized to carbon monoxide within the bloodstream, hence interfering with oxygen efficiency. Methylene Chloride is as well linked with cancer. Research conducted by OSHA proves that this solvent causes cancer in animals. Also, it posses characteristics of decomposition in the presence of heat and flames, or even UV lights, hence producing the highly toxic phosgene gas. OSHA has put up measures for ensuring that all paint strippers labels carry a warning against smoking while working, and the importance of keeping away vapours from hot surfaces such as metallic doors, water heaters, furnaces, and other electrical appliers.

Conclusion

Paint strippers have been observed to pose potential threats to human and animals if not properly used, under the manufacturer’s guideline. Hence, it’s advisable that before use, one should make an effort to go through the safety guidelines first and ensure that every step is observed during the stripping process.