Re: Stripping Paint Question
Ralph you are correct, a quality heat gun definitely can char wood if held in one place too long. When used correctly (not hard to do) you fan the heat back and forth until the paint loosens, just starts to blister but before the paint chars. The paint scrapes off really easy, like scooping up butter. The wood is warmed but not hot. Thats why I mentioned about working ahead of where you are scraping ... with one hand prepping/heating the next area to be scraped, while the other hand is scraping off the paint that is already loosened. It does not harm the wood and is very quick and clean. There is more concern in accidentally coming in contact with the end of the heat gun ... done that, too ... ouch!!!<br /><br />I like the idea of using plastic. I question the need to let paint remover sit overnight unless it is cold outside, but then I wouldnt bother with chemical strippers if its not warm. And you are right, stripped paint goobers do turn back into hardened paint when the stripper evaporates. If they sit overnight they can even cut or poke holes in your skin.
Ralph you are correct, a quality heat gun definitely can char wood if held in one place too long. When used correctly (not hard to do) you fan the heat back and forth until the paint loosens, just starts to blister but before the paint chars. The paint scrapes off really easy, like scooping up butter. The wood is warmed but not hot. Thats why I mentioned about working ahead of where you are scraping ... with one hand prepping/heating the next area to be scraped, while the other hand is scraping off the paint that is already loosened. It does not harm the wood and is very quick and clean. There is more concern in accidentally coming in contact with the end of the heat gun ... done that, too ... ouch!!!<br /><br />I like the idea of using plastic. I question the need to let paint remover sit overnight unless it is cold outside, but then I wouldnt bother with chemical strippers if its not warm. And you are right, stripped paint goobers do turn back into hardened paint when the stripper evaporates. If they sit overnight they can even cut or poke holes in your skin.
