How to Use a Heat Gun to Remove Paint
Removing oil-based paint can be a difficult chore, especially if you need to get rid of multiple layers. A heat gun can make this task easier. The idea behind using a heat gun is to actually melt the existing paint, allowing it to be scraped off. In order to melt paint, temperatures as high as 1000 degrees F are sometimes achieved, so this process must be performed with caution. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Heat gun
- Heavy gloves
- Eye protection
- Breathing mask
- Paint scraper
- Bucket
- Water
- Mineral spirits
Instructions
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Wear heavy gloves and eye protection when using a heat gun, and wear clothing that protects your entire body. If you are removing lead-based paint, which was common prior to 1978, wear a mask. Also, have plenty of water available in case of fire.
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Turn on the heat gun and wave it back and forth approximately 1 inch over a small area of paint. Keep the gun moving at all times. As the paint begins to bubble, turn off the gun and immediately scrape the melted paint with a paint scraper.
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Dispose of the scraped-off paint in a bucket and continue heating and scraping the next section in the same manner. Watch for smoldering wood and douse any with plenty of water immediately.
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Apply mineral spirits to scraped areas to remove any last remnants of paint.
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Tips & Warnings
Dispose of all removed paint properly. Consult your city's health department for instructions on disposing of lead-based paint.
Do not use a heat gun around windows. The heat will shatter glass.
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Comments
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commonjackleg
Jul 25, 2010
It is now the illegal to use heat guns above 1000°F under the new RRP rule (Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule). A much more effective method is to use a Speedheater IR Paint Remover. Available from SpeedheaterStore.dom. They are much faster than a heat gun and they are safe for both the operator and the environment. The Speedheater operate at a low temperature of 200 400°F well below melting point for lead. The toxins stay in the paint chips and not in you.
