HOW TO STRIP PAINT POSSIBLE METHODS

1. MECHANICAL STRIPPING

To carry out mechanical stripping, you will use a good dose of elbow grease. Of course, this process should be reserved for small areas.

Want to know how to strip by hand? It’s simple, equip yourself with a pair of protective gloves and a mask to filter the dust. Also take a spatula, sandpaper with different grits, and if possible, an electric sander with abrasive discs. Once the equipment is in your hands, protect the ground with a plastic sheet and roll up your sleeves: you will begin your work.

This task is accomplished, by using the electric sander to remove the paint more thoroughly.

Sand the surface evenly until all the paint is removed, then refine your work using circular motions with medium-grit sandpaper. You will finish your stripping by smoothing it with fine-grain sandpaper.

Has your furniture regained a raw appearance? All you have to do is wash it with a little lukewarm water. Carefully vacuum up the dust in every corner and admire the result!

2. THERMAL STRIPPING

Thermal stripping is an effective method, particularly recommended for treating large surfaces. Are you intrigued? Get a heat gun from a DIY store as well as a pair of gloves and a plastic sheet to protect the floor in your work area. You can also opt for a heat gun if you prefer.

Once you have your tool of choice, plug it into a power outlet and let it preheat.

Are you ready to use the heat gun? Direct the flow of hot air towards the surface to be stripped using regular movements. You should place the device approximately 15 cm away from your work area.

Observe the paint as the hot air is applied: it should blister, but it should never burn.

As soon as the paint seems sufficiently softened, take a metal spatula to remove it with a firm gesture, without ever pressing. Then complete your task by making circular movements with a stiff-bristled brush, and then a piece of fine-grained sandpaper.

Once the thermal stripping is completed, all you have to do is clean the support with a damp cloth before vacuuming.

3. CHEMICAL STRIPPING

Do you want to know another method to restore your living room table? Carry out chemical stripping! What is it about? Chemical stripping is a formidable technique that requires the application of a solvent.

Highly appreciated for its effectiveness, this type of treatment nevertheless has some disadvantages: it is expensive, and it can be dangerous for your health when you forget to protect yourself.

Do you want to know how to do chemical stripping? Go to a DIY store to select a suitable product. Also purchase a pair of gloves, protective glasses, and a dust mask, a plastic sheet, a metal spatula, a stiff bristle brush, a nylon brush, and fine-grit sandpaper.

Have you gathered all the materials? Put on work clothes and cover all surfaces around the area to be stripped. Finally, open the windows to properly ventilate the room in which you are working.

Once all these precautions have been taken, generously apply the chemical stripper to the paint to be removed using the nylon brush and respect the dwell time indicated on the product packaging. You will see blisters appear under the effect of the solvent. Remove them by scraping the surface with the metal spatula then perfect the result by making circular movements with the hard-bristle brush.

Are you satisfied? In this case, carefully wash the surface you have just stripped with water to remove all product residue and let it dry. All you have to do is finish your task by lightly sanding with a piece of fine-grained sandpaper. Remove dust using a damp cloth. It’s over !

4. THE INTERVENTION OF A PROFESSIONAL

In some cases, it is better to entrust the task to a professional. This is sometimes the best solution when the furniture to be treated is fragile, when it involves toxic paint or sculpted details that are difficult to access… It is also a good idea when you have a large surface to strip.

And that’s not all! Professionals use quality products and they know all kinds of tricks to remove paint effectively, without damaging the area to be cleaned. For example, in some cases, they completely immerse the objects in baths provided for this purpose. They can even perform a micro-exfoliation by projecting an abrasive product onto the paint to be removed.

As you will have understood, the craftsmen have more than one trick up their sleeve to offer you a result that meets your expectations.