How To Safely Remove Lead Paint
Uncover the best practices and precautions to take when tackling lead paint removal as a homeowner in our step by step article.
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Disclaimer: I am in no way a professional and am not claiming to be. I am just sharing safe ways of lead paint removal I have found through doing research. I recommend that everyone do their own research on how to safely remove lead paint. Before beginning any lead paint removal check with your state and city because every state and city ordinances on lead paint removal can be different. It is important to know that improper removal of lead paint can result in serious illness.
Removing lead paint safely can be a little tricky. The main issues with lead paint is if you consume it or ingest it through breathing. So at all cost you want to avoid turning the lead paint into a dust. Typically it is turned into an ingestible dust by sanding. It is recommended that you never sand lead paint unless wearing proper PPE (personal protective equipment).
Materials
- IR paint stripper
- Paint Stripper
- Laminated paper
- Scrapers
- Picks
- Respirator
- Gloves
- Eye protection
- Lead test
How to safely remove lead paint
Instructions
- When it comes to wanting to remove paint you can either test for lead paint or treat all paint as if it contains lead. It is so important to know that even if the top layer of paint does not contain lead, always go by the very bottom layer of paint. When testing for lead paint scrape a small spot down to the very bottom layer and test that spot.
- Next wearing a respirator, gloves, and safety glasses decide which paint removal method you want to begin with. I end up using every method by the time the project is finished. Each tool/method has a purpose.
- On flat smooth areas of the door I prefer to use the IR Paint Stripper. It can remove multiple layers at once. Make sure the IR Paint Stripper does not touch the paint. Hover the tool about half an inch from the paint hold for 10 -15 seconds, move the tool, and scrape the paint. When moving the tool the paint should be bubbly. When scraping it should come off with minimal pressure. Experiment with how long it needs to be held in one spot before scraping. (Depending on what is under the paint you will get a different result. If there is stain under all of the paint you should get a clean scrape but if it is raw wood under the paint you more than likely will not get a clean scrape.) Repeat this step over the entire flat smooth area.
- Next, once the entire flat smooth areas are as paint free as you can get them with the IR Paint Stripper use paint stripper on any detail areas or flat surface areas that still have paint. Follow the directions on whichever paint stripper you choose to use, wait the allotted time and remove the paint stripper. (I find that using small picks is the best way to get in the tiny crevices to remove small remnants of paint.)
- After using the paint stripper clean the door thoroughly and neutralize before applying any stains, polys, or sealers.
FAQs:
You can shop at home lead paint test kits here.
It is important to know that you should NEVER vacuum up lead paint chips or dust. A standard household vacuum filter cannot trap the lead dust particles so it is emitted back out, making it airborne. Instead if you have dust or chips, wearing proper PPE, use a regular broom and dust pan to clean up and dispose of properly according to your state and city regulations.
Lead paint can and does vaporize when it reaches 700°F. If you use a heat gun to remove lead paint check the heat guns settings to ensure it does not get that hot on the lowest setting. Most infrared heat guns do not get that hot so that is why they are one of the most recommended tools for lead paint removal along with strippers.
No, when choosing a paint stripper read the container it comes in and make sure it says it is safe to use on lead paint. Paint removers that are safe to remove lead paint encapsulate the lead.
Like previously mentioned you should avoid sanding lead paint at all cost. If you have used the IR Paint Stripper and paint stripper to get off as much as possible and you have small flakes of lead paint then wearing proper PPE you can sand. Do this in a controlled environment and as soon as you are done sanding, close off that space and let the dust settle before returning back to the room and cleaning.
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