Can I remove lead paint on my own?

Question

I am restoring a home built in 1882 that has amazing wood trims and panels with about 20 coats of paint on them. The most recent coat of paint is only a few years old, but the layers underneath are much older and most likely contain lead. Is there a safe way to remove the paint if I can do it outdoors?

Answer 1

In many jurisdictions only a licensed contractor can remove lead paint. You really need to know what the law in your area says.

I'm sure you can remove it safely if you take precautions but then you have to dispose of it legally. That can be a problem.

Answer 2

You should be able to do it on your own. Wear the proper breathing equipment though. Also, put plastic sheeting down underneath the wood trim to catch all of the paint that comes off. You'll want to check as far as what the proper method is for disposal of the paint is in your area before you start.

I don't recommend sanding for two reasons. First off is if you sand you will be causing the lead to go into the air, so you want to do as little sanding as possible for that reason. Secondly, you may have some pretty intricate molding work that was carved or punched into the wood that you would loose to a certain degree if you sand it. Use a paint stripper if you can and try peeling the paint off instead. Some of the carving work may be very light carving and if you sand you'll destroy it and may not ever notice it was even there.

Answer 3

There are some concerns right here. Hoew previous is the 1st coat of paint???? no count if that's pre-1985, probability is it is composed of LEAD!!! a house inspector can attempt for lead content fabric on your painted wall. He does a scraping and sends it to a lab for diagnosis. you ought to do this!! Lead paint, quite dried, previous lead paint, is poisonous!! There are very stringent and laid down approaches for removing lead based paint. the homestead inspector can propose you of those innovations! One previous homestead I renovated, had to be wrapped in plastic and an air purification equipment used, alongside with the humorous white suits, yet that grew to become right into a drastic degree for doing the completed homestead!!! you will somewhat desire a private respiration filtration masks it somewhat is appropriate for air borne contaminants like lead and different risky impurities!! I somewhat have a feeling the backside few layers will incorporate lead!! Get it looked at, first!! it is somewhat somewhat worth the fee to maintain your loved ones secure!!! as quickly as you determine each and every little thing is a decide for paint removing, pass on your interior sight construction or ironmongery shop. there is an environmentally secure paint stripper which will follow vertical surfaces. Ask for it. you will desire a scraper, a cord brush, some steel wool, and a few sanding sponges. place a thick plastic tarp everywhere in the floor, once you strip the partitions. the stripper will attack the finished floor of your flooring, except the floor is granite or slate! this might require many hours of scraping, rubbing, and sanding!! i might even tape off the doors and windws to the room, until all the paint is got rid of. you will ought to collect the paint scrapings up interior the tarp, on the tip, and put off it at a lisenced internet site for lead contaminants!! good success!!

Answer 4

I'm not sure you would have to check with your local EPA office. There is alot to consider...you would have to make sure you didn't get anything on the ground and have to have proper disposal...not to mention proper protective gear. To do it right and safely is very complicated and involved but as a lover of old homes and beautiful wood work I can understand why you would want to do it. Why do people paint wood work? Don't you just want to choke them? Good luck!!

Answer 5

if your using paint stripper, the goo kind,, you should be alright if you wear a respirator,, not just the little white mask, but the whole chemical respirator type.... its the tiny little dist particles that will float off the paint that you will breathe in..plus make sure not to touch it will your bare hands. When you scrape all the old paint off, make sure its properly disposed of, youll have to check with your state to find out how to dispose properly, dont just throw it in your trash, because i know we cant do that where i live.

Answer 6

Lead paint is bad for your healt so i wouldn't do it yourself.