How do I remove really old paint?

Question

I have scrapped it and used a sander but the process is so slow. Is there anything to speed this up.

I'm putting up a new window and sanding the wood.

Answer 1

Peggy, this is a good site for learning the tricks of stripping paint. As you have already discovered, there is no 'magic bullet' for paint removal, but there are ways to make it a bit more bearable.

http://www.oldhousejournal.com/magazine/2001/march_april/paint_strippers/index.shtml

Answer 2

Use the chemical strippers recommended by others. But, make sure you get some long rubber gloves that are resistant to corrosive chemicals (Home Depot). Chemical strippers are highly acidic and, if even a tiny drop gets on your skin, it will feel like a wasp stung you until you wash it off.

Wear clothes where no part of your body is exposed. And, keep a bucket of water and wash cloth handy, in case some does splatter onto you. And, rinse your gloves well with a hose before taking them off. You absolutely do not want to touch that stuff.

Answer 3

You don't say what type of surface you have, but the absolute best paint stripper is "Klean-Strip Formula A." I used to use this exclusively when I had my Corvette shop. If you can't find that in your area, the next best (although a distant 2nd) would probably be a product called "Stripeeze."

Answer 4

A heat gun will speed the process up alot.

Answer 5

wet/dry sandpaper, keep the paper wet and clean. It comes in different grit.

Answer 6

try Jasco paint stripper. Be careful, it is nasty and can eat stuff up. bo

Answer 7

power wash it