Replies

1. 
   cameraman | Mar 05, 2010 02:56pm | #1

   I am refinishing windows & doors, many layers of oil & laxtex paint. Just purchased a Makita heat gun, VERY impressed in how well it works. Got to keep the heat moving but will take down to the bare wood. What little residue it leaves is hardened and sands off very EZ.

   I have tried chemical &  just plane sanding, by far the best in my applacation!!!!

   I even custom ground some scraper for different profiles or heat scrape and then wire brush. Develop your own style & don't get you fingers in the way, will cook em !!!!

2. 
   JAlden | Mar 05, 2010 04:04pm | #2

   If you decide to try the chemical strippers, use the old fashioned formula kind. You know, the one with all the warnings on the label.

   I did an exterior door last summer with good results. Like Camera Man, I made some custom scrapers to get in all the nooks and crannies.

   It took a few applications but it went down to wood. Washed with water and a scotchbrite pad.

3. 
   Tim | Mar 05, 2010 04:19pm | #3

   Like a lot of things....it dependes. On the door and the wood its made of, the condition, what you intend to do with it once its free of old paint and what the surface is like (i.e smooth and flat, panelled, intricate, etc)

   I used a combintaion of methods on an old door (about 150 yo). Heat gun and sand paper for the big, smooth flat areas, chemical (BIX) removal in the intricate areas, followed up by a lot of work with shave hooks and a dremel tool. This is a pine door and I planned to stain and seal it.

4. 
   rjw | Mar 05, 2010 04:24pm | #4

   Be careful with heat guns - they can release lead fumes into the air you're breathing

   EPA says not greater than 1,100 degrees: http://www.epa.gov/hurricanes/pdf/homeleadremodeling_brochure.pdf

1. 
   Piffin | Mar 05, 2010 05:07pm | #6

   I asked about that at a lead class I took and the answer was that most heat guns do not get hot enough to make hazardous fumes. Enough heat for that and the wood is charing anyways.

1. 
   rjw | Mar 05, 2010 07:54pm | #8

   I've seen 'em in the store with heat ratings - I suppose for this reason

5. 
   Piffin | Mar 05, 2010 05:05pm | #5

   I have always used a heat gun and scraper followed by sanding, but now that I have a steamer, that is the amswer to all the mysteries of life, esp if this is old paint with lead in it.

1. 
   CubeSquare | Mar 05, 2010 06:34pm | #7

   The two best methods of stripping old paint are the heat gun and the steamer.  Spend a lot of time and get it right.  Then go on-line to "Fine paints of Europe" and check out a product called Sweedish Putty.  This is the secret to a flawless gloss finish.  Applied over primer, Sweedish Putty can be built up to perfection, then using a Dutch Door kit, paint your door - and watch out!  Everyone will want their front door to look that good!  Axzel-nobel out of Chicago is importing the lions share of Sikkens paints from Holland, but Fine Paints of Europe (I think they are in Vermont) has their own deal.  Go to their web-site, click on primers and under coats and then exterior Sweedish Putty.  There is a video there that will give you an overview.  Let's face it, the prize goes to the flawless gloss finish.

6. 
   cotterd | Mar 05, 2010 09:26pm | #9

   We've been stripping doors in our house -- I think it's up to eight or nine now, along with windows and trim in several whole rooms.  While I've used heat guns and chemicals in the past, we decided that it was worthwhile to try a "silent paint remover" -- it's essentially a quartz heater with a handle on it.  It works very well, paint comes right off with little scraping and none of the mess of a chemical strippers and way less charring and flame up than I've gotten with the heat gun, or worse yet back in college when we used the torch...

   The only downsides I've seen so far (2 years) is that it's fairly expensive up front and if you drop iit you have to be prepared to drop some cash on replacement bulbs.

   dc

7. 
   Scott | Mar 06, 2010 12:20am | #10

   >>>what's the best way to

   >>>what's the best way to strip paint from an old door.

   Whatever you do, please post some pics!

   It's always interesting to see the confluence of old and new.

1. 
   Piffin | Mar 07, 2010 01:02pm | #11

   Yes Indeed, We need to see how well pictures of strippers stay up on this new format!

1. 
   Scott | Mar 08, 2010 12:46pm | #12

   >>>We need to see how well

   >>>We need to see how well pictures of strippers stay up on this new format!

   In this matter, please disregard my previous message indicating an interest in the "old".

   Thx.

1. 
   bobl | Mar 10, 2010 08:04am | #13

   thanks for all the replies.