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The Best Methods To Remove Old Paint

By: Tim Evans

When you need to remove old paint the job is much easier when you have the right tools to complete the job. While there are several methods to remove old paint, in this article we will look at a few of the most common.

A heat gun is a very effective tool for removing old paint. If you do not have one they are fairly inexpensive to purchase. If you do not wish to purchase one, you may want to check with your local tool rental store to see if they rent them. Using a heat gun is a great way to loosen thick layers of old paint. To accomplish this, point the heat gun at the surface and as the paint begins to loosen, scrape the paint away using a pull scrape or putty knife. If you need to remove large areas of old paint, you can use a hand sander with a large sanding disk.

If you need to remove old paint and rust from a metal surface you can use a palm sander, which is another tool that is very inexpensive, and a heavy grit sandpaper. You can also use a wire brush to effectively remove rust and old paint from metal surfaces. You will need to apply a metal primer once you have removed the rust or paint to prevent new rust from forming. If you only need to scuff a metal surface prior to painting then you can use a medium coarse steel wood or a abrasive pad. Just be sure to clean the surface before you apply a primer or paint.

The most common and efficient method of cleaning and removing old loose paint from the exterior of your siding or trim is pressure washing. While pressure washing is a great way to remove loose paint, it will not remove all of the paint from the surface. Do not apply too much pressure in an attempt to remove paint because doing this could damage your wood and present a much bigger problem. If you are going to use a pressure washer to wash your siding or trim, be certain that you use the proper equipment. A psi of between 1200-1500 is usually considered optimal. As you work the wand on the pressure washer, point the stream downward if possible and do not get too close to the surface with the tip of the wand. If you need to clean hard to reach areas such as soffits, use an extension along with a rotating scrub brush attachment.

If you do not own a pressure washer, you can rent one at most equipment rental stores along with some of the other tools which I mentioned previously. If you do rent a pressure washer, ask for one that has a chemical injection device on it. This will allow you to apply a detergent directly through the pressure washer which will save you a lot of extra work since the pressure washer can deliver the detergent a much further distance.

Remember, the most important issue with any home improvement project is safety. Always wear eye protection when using any of the equipment referred to in this article. Also, if you are using ladders, make sure to properly set up ladders and if possible have someone hold the ladders at the bottom.

Article Source: http://www.bluearticles.com


The author is the owner of Gatlinburg Painting in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and has over twenty five years experience as a professional painting contractor. For more information visit
Gatlinburg Painting

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