Summary: Learn how to remove paint from wood, remove varnish, remove paint using a heat gun and remove paint using a paint stripper.
When renovating your house it is usually the case that you will want to repaint certain aspects of a room, such as the skirting boards or doors. Or perhaps you are looking for the natural wood look. To do this you need to remove the paint or varnish already on the surface. This is not a complicated project and should be well within the capabilities of the average DIYer.
Also known as paint strippers, chemical paint and varnish removers are available in paste and liquid forms. Liquid form paint stripper is more useful for removing one or two layers of paint, whereas the paste form is used for removing many layers. This is because it stays wet for longer in order to complete a tougher job.
Another option is aerosol paint stripper. It is fast in its application, plus it is best for reaching tighter places where brushes are too thick. In addition there are paint strippers that are environmentally friendly and those that specialise in removal of paint on certain surfaces. Select the best option for you and the job at hand.
Sanding is another method for removing paint from a surface. It is possible to use a power sander or just to do it by hand with sandpaper. Power sanders are better for larger surface areas. The three types of power sander are belt, drum and disk sanders.
A heat gun produces very hot air in a similar way to a hair dryer. When applied to painted surfaces, it destroys the film in the old paint making it easily removable.
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