*
Anyone have suggestions for doing a thorough job
of scraping old exterior housepaint down to the
bare wood? Existing conditions include some
peeling on about 1/5th of the boards. I have a
good quality, light weight belt sander in addition
to the basic paint scraper. I’m wondering if
there isn’t another method that stands out in it’s
efficiency and effectiveness (e.g., renting a
pressure washer or circular sander type m
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story

The LG Inverter Heat Pump Water Heater uses advanced inverter technology to ramp up or down in response to hot water demand, maximizing energy savings.
Featured Video
How to Install Exterior Window TrimHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
*
Hi Kim
If your going to sand, find out if the old paint is lead based. You should always wear a mask but if it's lead base extra precautions should be taken. Put down drop cloths and try to minimize the dust. It's not easy. If you can find someone to lightly mist the area with water(spray bottle...not a garden hose) while you sand it will greatly reduce the amount of dust produced. Talk to a paint specialist about precautions for removing old lead paint. If it's not then no problem (still good idea to wear a mask). Pressure washers work well if you have loose paint. You'll still have to sand the stuff that is stuck to the wood.
Good luck!
Gaby
*Sandvik makes a scraper with a carbide edge which I've found to be far more effective than a regular scraper. For tough stuff there is the Porter Cable 7403 power paint remover .....it runs about $190. A rental store might have it. Be care using a pressure washer ..... too close at too high a pressure and you can damage the wood. Ditto Gabby's comments on lead paint.
*
I endorse the above comments, with a strong ditto about caution using the power washer - it can really do a number on softwood siding, etching out the grain and leaving a fuzzy surface, even gouging the wood. I'm facing the same problem with my house, and there doesn't appear to be any really good solution. Best I've found so far is the Paint Shaver, they have a site at http://www.aittool.com. It works pretty well and is relatively fast (though hard to control at first) but costs a small fortune ($550 for the tool, extra blades, and vacuum attachment); they do say they will buy it back when you're done for 40-60% of the purchase price. I've made some pretty good gouges in the wood with this thing, but it does take the paint off siding fast. The vacuum attachment helps with the lead paint issue, but the plastic safety cover has a hinged part that when open (most of the time, to allow it to conform to the siding surface) allows dust and paint chips to fly back in your face, somewhat defeating the purpose. If you have lots of time, a heat gun and scraper work well for getting most of the paint off, but you still have to sand after that to get a good surface. Good luck with your project!
*
I have a Wagner carbide scraper (actually 3 or 4) that works well. Still hard work - press hard and pull - but just about eliminates sanding. I've done 3 sides of 2 storey 30X36. Hard work - never again. (PS I bought a Paint Shaver but it does easily damage siding - I'm not impressed.)
*
Anyone have suggestions for doing a thorough job
of scraping old exterior housepaint down to the
bare wood? Existing conditions include some
peeling on about 1/5th of the boards. I have a
good quality, light weight belt sander in addition
to the basic paint scraper. I'm wondering if
there isn't another method that stands out in it's
efficiency and effectiveness (e.g., renting a
pressure washer or circular sander type m