how to strip paint off a front door?

Question

id like to not screw this one up:
do i use paint stripper or a heat gun or sand paper? what way should it be done?
thanx (diy virgin)

Answer 1

try here

Answer 2

Depends what quality you want and whether you have used a heat gun before. Heat guns are generally the best way to strip paint, but they need to be used with caution as they burn surfaces very quickly. Chared wood doesn't make for a very good paint surface. Sodium Hydroxide (or Caustic Soda) which is available from DIY shops can be used to make a cheap liquid paint stripper that you brush onto paint. Be carefully though as it strips skin too (wear gloves and eye protection). If there are more than a couple of layers of paint, you might have to repeat the procedure twice or more. Once you have scraped the paint away (using a heatgun/paint stripper), you will need to sand the remaining specs down with coarse sandpaper then using fine sandpaper to smooth all the surfaces down. A primer will need to be applied to seal the surfaces and provide a nice key for your main paint

Answer 3

If possible try to paint over the existing paint, may be prime it first and then put the new paint.

I have once used the paint stripper, it did not work out as simple as the ads make it, Basically apply a generous layer of paint stripper then scrap off the paint, in my case the paint did not come off completely, so I had to reapply the paint stripper again and again and then sand off the remaining bits.

I had a wooden chest and I did it slowly in my garage, but your are doing it on your front door, you might want to fix it asap.

If I have to do it again I will rather find a primer coat which can be done on the existing paint and then apply the new coat of paint.

Also make sure whether you got oil based paint or water based paint currently on your door, so that you can buy the right type of primer and new paint.

Dip a cloth in water and rub it again the door and if the paint comes off it is water based.

Answer 4

Take door off hinges.
Use paint stripper & a putty knife. Press gently, as door may be pine (soft wood). Do with grain to help prevent scratching.
After majority of paint is removed, & only in cracks & small spots, you can use potato brushes or tooth brushes to get last traces out.
You can also use acetone & some steel wool to give it a final wash.
Once paint is removed & door is dry from stipper, then use sand paper. Start with 100 grit & move down to 150 grit.
Then you can stain or finish it.
Good luck.
AUGH; avoid an orbital sander as this will really do a number on the wood. Try a speedblock or an orbital sander. you can go against the grain with minimal damage to the wood.

Answer 5

If the door is really bad you can buy sandpaper for painted wood - use an orbital sander and this stuff will rip the paint off. You may have to sand it with a fine paper afterwards to get it smooth before you paint it.
Paint stripper is good. Put the stripper on until the paint starts to bubble up then with a putty knife you will need to scrape it. Make sure you use gloves as paint stripper will burn your skin.

Also a Heat Gun is great but you need to be very careful when using it as you can burn the wood and if it has glass you could crack the glass.
I think your safest bet would be the paint stripper followed by sanding to smooth the door up for painting. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Good for you for taking on home repair & improvement!!! I think you will find a lot of satisfaction in doing this yourself.
My suggestion is locate a product called READY-STRIP PRO
It is a product that is low fume & it works on ANY painted or varnished surface. It will strip up to 7 layers with a single use. When used exactly as directed it is very simple to use even if you are a DIY VIRGIN.....
Good Luck....
OH! if you cannot find it in stores, try qvc.com
That is where we got ours & it was a complete kit for around $45
READY STRIP PRO KIT is believe is what it was called......

As for sanding, many products do raise the grain of the wood that does required even a light sanding. It is best to use a sanding block with a fine grit sandpaper to provide a clean even surface to refinish. When I did this to an antique desk, I used Min-Wax Honey Oak Gel wood stain & Min-Wax Polyurethane Satin Finish Clear coat to pretect & seal it. Be sure to read all product labels to be sure the product is applicable for indoor & outdoor use. And ALWAYS be sure you have the proper brushes for the products you used. It does make a difference....
Also, be sure the surface you are working with is clean & dust free.....

Answer 7

1. Remove the door

2. Use paint stripper like Zip Strip (make sure to use with gloves in a well ventilated area)

3. Scrap off paint (according to directions)

4. Sand smooth using steel wool

5. Now you can stain or repaint the door.

Answer 8

If the paint is only peeling in one small area you do not have to remove all of it unless you feel you need to and are worried that it may continue to peel. Usually scraping and sanding the peeling area and then applying a uniform coat of oil based primer will do the trick. You can then use oil or latex paint over top. If you do decide to use a chemical paint stripper PLEASE use a full respirator mask (not a dust mask) and do the job in a well ventilated area. I have attached a medical journal article that outlines the risk of the above mentioned Nitromors but which could be written about any chemical stripper on the market.

For the best answers, search on this site https://smarturl.im/aDAoG

Answer 9

go to my place of employment HOME DEPOT and ask a paint specialist....they will tell you to use a paint stripper. They come easily labeled "Paint stripper". You'd also may wanna use a composite brush. They are made of vinyl that aids in removing the paint yet they will not harm the wood surface. Heat guns are stupid in my opinion. Very fine (200 gritt and up) sandpaper are OK, but i wouldn't recommend it if it is a wooden door (which it seems like you're referring to). If it's a metal door, the stripper alone will be sufficient.

Answer 10

I agree w/most of the comments here. Use a stripper. I used 2 work in a wood shop in FL, and the best way I found to take paint off of things was by using a stripper and sanding the surface smooth afterwards. At that point, you can stain the wood or repaint it and it will look nice. Using a heat gun...u r a DIY virgin...u will burn the surface and have a ruined project or a lot more work 2 do. Go w/ the majority on this one. Congrats on doing it yourself!

Answer 11

I used a product called Ready Strip. It worked great ,was fast and easy but most of all odorless and effortless. It took off about six layers of paint from my 40yr old front door. The company name is Back To Nature Products. I'm sure they have a web site.