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Vintage homes are accompanied by a multitude of old charms such as uncommon architectural features, durable antique hardware on the doors and appliances and loads of charm.
However, they also tend to come with lots of old, cracking, flaking paint. If you plan on giving your vintage home a fresh coat, all of these peeling layers can cause some massive problems.
Therefore, it is necessary to strip those old layers and start with a fresh canvas.
If you are looking for some informative tips on stripping old paint from vintage homes, here are five must-know pieces of advice for a successful project.
1. Test the Paint for Lead
According to the EPA’s report on the national survey of lead-based paint in housing, there are still thousands of older homes with lead-based paint, which wasn’t banned until 1978. As the report states:
“For housing built prior to 1940, the estimates ranged from 71 to 100 percent; for homes built between 1940 and 1959, the range was 64 to 92 percent; and for units built between 1960 and 1977, the range was 48 to 76 percent.”
In short, this means that if you buy a vintage home, you must test the paint for lead, as it is potentially poisonous.
As far as how to test for lead paint is concerned, you have three primary options:
- DIY Test: There are a variety of DIY lead paint test kits on the market that will allow you to remove a piece of paint from your wall and swab it to detect the presence of lead.
- Lab Test: Going this route, simply scrape off a bit of paint into a bag and send it off to a lab for testing. Be aware that this approach is more costly and time-consuming.
- Call a Professional: Finally, if you so desire, you can call out a licensed lead inspector to come out and conduct an X-ray fluorescence test.
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2. Decide to Do-It-Yourself or Call in a Pro
Removing the paint from a vintage home isn’t like deciding to purchase some cabinet knobs and pulls to install yourself. This kind of job can be complicated, large in scope and sometimes even dangerous. In which case, you need to decide if it is best to get a professional or if you can handle it yourself.
Depending on the size of the home, how quickly the stripping must be done, if lead was detected, any intricate architectural design features and the like, it is probably best to call in professional help to remove the paint safely (for both you and the home) and in a timely manner.
However, if the home is small, simple, and you have the time, you can likely tackle the project with your spouse or some friends.
3. Procure the Proper Safety Equipment
Having the necessary equipment to complete a job is crucial. For a job like stripping paint from a vintage home, this means that you will need a bit of personal protective equipment.
Therefore, before getting started, it is necessary to purchase things like work gloves, dust masks or respirators (R95 or P100 rating), safety glasses and wrap-around safety goggles if you will be working overhead or employing a chemical paint stripper.
4. Get the Right Tools for the Job
When it comes to stripping paint from wood, you have several options to get the job done, including:
- Heaters: Heaters are great for softening varnishes or multiple layers of paint so that they can be easily removed with a scraper. However, these can create some unpleasant fumes and risk charring the wood.
- Sanders: Sanders are excellent for quickly grinding away paint from large, flat surfaces. That said, given the amount of dust created, they are not great for indoor work or for removing lead paint.
- Chemical Strippers: Chemical strippers can quickly dissolve paint without creating dust or paint chips, making them perfect for intricate or awkward spots. On the downside, they can be slow, stinky and create a bit of a mess.
5. Prep Your Indoor Workspace Perfectly
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Instead of laying out drop cloths, opt instead for six-mil plastic sheeting, as this will not let chemicals seep through or trap fine grit. Extend the sheeting six feet past the work area and tape down the edges. Next, duct tape off the workspace from the rest of the house, cover any air vents in the room to prevent dust from circulating through the house and lay down contractor’s papers to avoid slipping.
If you are going to be using chemicals, be sure to mask off any hinges or other hardware in the room that cannot be removed using painter’s tape. If you will be employing a heat gun, cover items you do not wish to strip with aluminum to help protect them.
Making Your Vintage Home Look Like New
When it comes to stripping the paint off a vintage home, there are many things to consider. Review this list to determine how much (if any) of the project you can do yourself, how you want to go about getting the job done and getting ready to actually dive in and get your home stripped and ready for a fresh coat of paint.