Removing old paint

[steve07951]

There are two different ways of tackling this – either burning off, or using a chemical stripper.
Burning off
Your first consideration should always be fire-safety. Think about where the heat is being applied, in addition to where the hot flakes of paint will go. Many a decorator has come unstuck, for example, when burning off the soffits of a house. Flames don’t know where they’re supposed to go, so if there is a way through the surface to the dry old timbers in the attic or a hidden bird’s nest, they will soon burn through, and fire spreads very quickly. Unless you can see where the heat is going, don’t risk it. Always have a suitable means of extinguishing a fire to hand and remove soft furnishings from the area.

Also consider the age of the paint and whether it is likely to be lead based. Lead is toxic and heating the paint will produce lead-laden fumes. Simple lead testing kits are available. Always guard against inhaling toxic fumes - ensure adequate ventilation and wear a suitably protective mask
Heat can be applied either with a hot air gun or a gas torch. The former is a lot easier to use if you have no experience with a gas torch. Gas torches are a lot faster but more difficult to control and HOTTER.
Heat the surface of the paint by playing the gun back and forth to distribute the heat evenly. As the paint gets hot it will blister. It is at this point that it is easiest to remove it. Do not allow it to get any hotter as it will ignite and smoulder. Excess heat will also scorch the surface. This can bleed through new paint, or leave unsightly marks if the wood is to be varnished.
Small scorch marks can be prevented from bleeding through by applying a coat of knotting.

[tbird425]

Heat is an effective way of removing old paint but, as was pointed out in the previous post, there is a risk of releasing toxic fumes when removing lead based paints, as well as the possibility of burning more than the paint.
It's also good to keep in mind that the EPA will slap heavy fines on the diy'er who fails to comply with local and federal regulations pertaining to lead paint removal.
I paint a little, when I'm not goofing off on the pc, and my favorite paint removal tool is the PaintShaver Pro...a high speed (10,000 rpm) rotary stripper that works quite well on smooth flat surfaces.
At $1,200.00 a pop, complete, it may not be the tool of choice for everyone who wishes to get back to bare wood prior to applying a fresh coat of paint.
If this is the case, the same folks offer an infrared heat lamp, which is much slower but will not heat up the old paint enough to release any harmful fumes. I think they go for around $300.00.
Is it OK to post a link here? If interested, simply Google the above tool name for more info; pics, specs, pricing, etc.
Last resort, to save a buck or two, check with local equipment rentals, as many offer heat lamps designed specifically for this purpose.