How to remove old paint

If you're trying to get rid of that avocado green dining room from the 70s or you just want to refresh your home's look, read this guide to find out how to remove paint safely and effectively.

Level of difficulty

Level 2: Intermediate

What you need

• Dust sheet
• Rubber gloves
• Goggles
• Dust mask
• Blowlamp or heat-gun
• Paint stripper
• Small container
• Scraper
• Shave hook
• White spirit
• Fine sandpaper

The steps to follow

1. Cover the floor with a dust sheet.
2. Working with solvents and paints can be harmful; protect yourself with rubber gloves, goggles and a dust mask

Note:
There are two ways to strip paint; chemical stripping and heat stripping. If you plan on removing paint in a large area, it might be more economical to use heat stripping. To avoid scorching any wood underneath the paint, use the chemical stripping method.

I - Heat stripping with a blowlamp or heat-gun:
1) If you're stripping glass or a surface near to glass, use a heat shield to protect it from cracking.
2) Place the blowlamp or heat-gun onto the surface.
3) When it blisters or starts to lift, use a scraper to remove the paint.
4) Dispose of the hot scrapings in a tin or container for safety.
5) Sand the surface down to get rid of any flecks of paint.

II - Chemical stripping:
1) Pour some stripper into a small container and brush the stripper onto the woodwork.
2) Let it soften the paint, then test the surface to see if it can be scraped off.
3) Use a scraper to remove the paint. For mouldings and difficult areas, use a shave hook.
4) When finished, wash the surface with water or white spirit, and leave it to dry for at least 24 hours before applying a new coat of paint.