I have a “friend” who is fixing up a 1920s house to resell. The large living room with an old fir floor has brown paint on the outer 4 foot perimeter. There is probably lead in the paint. My friend would really like to refinish the floor. A couple questions.
Would chemically stripping the floor be the safest way or would a heat gun be just as safe? Would you wear your full on mask while stripping the floor or just when sanding?
Any recommendations on which stripper would work best?
Has anyone had experience where just the perimeter is painted and does that show up a lot even after sanding and make the whole effort pointless?
any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Brian
Replies
here's some things i've run into , reduce the dust in any way shape or form active or residual . try some test spots, with an organic stripper(citrus stripper) it's orange , there is peel -away™, or with the dreaded methyl chloride (rock miracle™). that will take off pretty much anything, although the fresher the better,this is a last resort . regardless all shouild be used with a respirator and w/ peel -away gloves and eye protection, same goes with rock miracle and include throw away protective clothing.
if heat is used (i use a speed heater or a silent paint remover) i stay away from those hair dryer looking things. and a good 3-m respirator, with organic charcoal cartridges, and again eye protection, gloves like for yard work. i recieved lead poisioning some years back by not wearing gloves and a sub-standard respirator. and protective clothing ... you see a pattern here. excellent ventilation. and the house has got to be cleared out, including pets.
brian i'm not sure where you live and i guess it doesnt matter. why i enquire is there a chance that there may be a diffrent type of wood used. around that perimeter, just a chance.... as far it showing up , you mean bleed threw or deep set paint . i doubt it if it's all paint although lead paint can go on thicker than other paints, like milk paint, tint enhanced stain or what they call solid body stain but i dont think those would contain lead. i would find some lead testing kits and try through the space and see how prevalent the lead is . then take an overall assessment then choose the technique, this is not something to play around with and if he has pets and children. THAT IS A MAJOR CONCERN ..... theres other stuff i'm sure i'm missing . but a rough outline to follow. ... there are nothing like reclaimed old floors. i would do my best to do so ... slainte'
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If you use the heat gun it will be just as bad for you as the sanding, maybe worse.
Dont have any ideas on which is better but becareful if you sand or use a heat gun.
Doug
agreed..........." we judge ourselves by our motives, and others by their actions........."
Lead compounds are quite volatile, so heat will expose you to lead fumes.
I'd test the paint for lead first.