Posts Tagged ‘paint strippers’

 

Are Chemical Paint Strippers Harmful?

Tuesday, July 9th, 2013

Are Chemical Paint Strippers Harmful? - Painters

We’ve all been there. Ten years ago, that orange and black striped theme for the living room really sounded good, right? But now, it’s not quite as appealing as you’d hoped. You need to start again, but the colors are so bold that painting over them is tough.

Trying to remove paint can be quite a challenge. Chemical paint strippers can make the process easier, but with all of the chemicals mixed into them, you might find yourself asking: Are chemical paint strippers harmful?

Here’s some information about chemical paint strippers that might come in handy when deciding if you should use them.

Origins: Chemical paint strippers became popular for removing old, lead-based paint without spreading the lead around the room like other techniques might. Although they are popular for keeping us safe from a harmful substance, it must be understood that they include chemicals in their make-up as well.

Chemicals: Different strippers have different chemicals in them, but most of them include some amount of methylene chloride and other abrasive chemicals which can cause paint to peel off. This chemical is typically considered by doctors to be harmful to your health if ingested.

Proper Precautions: Although the chemicals in paint strippers can be harmful, as long as you follow the proper precautions, your health will not be at serious risk.

1. Go outside. Using a chemical paint stripper indoors lets the chemicals build up in your breathing space, thus contaminating the air. If you can take the object you have stripped outside, then do it. If not, open all windows, and turn on fans to help the chemicals blow outside. Also, take many breaks for fresh air.

2. Protect yourself. Wear a good quality breathing mask, goggles, gloves, and long sleeves or pants.

3. Stay focused. Do not eat, drink, smoke, or otherwise ingest anything while using the chemical stripper. If you accidentally get the stripper on your skin or face, wash it off immediately.

Should You Use Chemical Paint Strippers?

Are chemical paint strippers harmful? Well, they can be harmful. If you’re pregnant or unable to follow the suggested safety procedures, then you should not use them. But as long as you do it the right way, you should be able to remove the paint easily and effectively. If you need professional assistance, TalkLocal can connect you with painters in your area who can help. Our service is fast and free.

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Types Of Chemical Paint Strippers

Monday, June 17th, 2013

Types Of Chemical Paint Strippers - Painters

If you’re not a chemist, and we bet most of you aren’t, you might be a little wary about choosing which types of chemical paint strippers you’ll need.

They all smell funny and one wrong move might ruin your furniture, brushes, or cause some kind of crazy science mishap. It’s well worth your time to learn a bit about the various types of chemical paint strippers.

This might also be a good time to remind you to wear a mask and to use paint strippers only in a well-ventilated area, like an open garage, gazebo, or a covered (but not enclosed) porch.

Paint strippers come in several forms, each having their pros and cons.

– Spray-on paint strippers are simple and fast to apply. They work well on very thin coats of paint, such as spray paint. Spray-on products are less effective than others because they don’t penetrate as deeply, nor do they stay in place as well. Spray-on paint strippers are not a good option for projects that will remain vertical, like dressers.

– Liquid paint strippers are thicker than spray-on, meaning that they will penetrate deeper and faster. They can be applied with a bristle brush or a sponge brush. Don’t bother using an expensive horsehair brush to apply stripping liquid. The coat doesn’t need to be smooth or even. It’s best to use cheap sponge brushes and then throw them out when the job is done.

– Gel paint strippers are the easiest, safest, and most effective of the various types of chemical paint strippers. They are also the most expensive, but you’re usually only talking about a couple of dollars more. Gel paint strippers can be applied thickly and will stay put for long enough to do the job. They get into crevasses and detail work, and can be left for hours (wrapped in plastic) to give it enough time to remove thick layers of varnish or paints.

All types of chemical paint strippers work by penetrating the paint or varnish, then spreading out between the paint layer and the surface beneath. This causes the paint to lift from the object so it can be scraped off easily.

Check labels to be sure that the paint stripper you choose is right for the materials and for what you’re trying to remove. With a little knowledge and planning, refinishing is easy and fun enough that it’ll hardly seem like work at all.

Getting Help From Professional Painters Is Easy

Looking for a painter in your area? TalkLocal is the service for you. We take on the search process for you and get you on the phone with professionals that can help. You can sit back and let companies compete for your business.

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