Removing paint with a heat gun can be much quicker than chemical paint strippers or sanding, but care is needed as you could scorch and burn the wood - never mind yourself! Here's how to do it quickly, effectively and safely:
What you need
- Heat gun
- Metal scraper or putty knife
- Rigger gloves or leather gardening gloves
- Respirator face mask
How to use a heat gun to remove paint
Heat guns should be held at an angle of approximately 45 degrees from the work and never kept in one place for more than a few seconds. As the paint begins to bubble under the heat, move the gun and strip the paint with a metal scraper. The paint bubbles and blisters as the moisture and air trapped under the paint expand and force the paint to bubble. Make sure you don’t burn the paint, simply warm it until it blisters. The heat from the heat gun will have warmed the paint so that it is soft, so it can then be scraped away relatively easily.
In terms of safety, always wear a thick pair of gloves, such as some rigger gloves or leather gardening gloves. As you are passing the heat gun over the paint and scraping it you can easily pass the gun over your hand risking burns if you’re not concentrating, so make sure you’re well protected.
Heating paint can give off dangerous fumes, so always use a heat gun in a well ventilated space and use a suitable respirator face mask. There will be some paint that will be tricky to remove as it has not been warmed sufficiently or is trapped between the grain.
Don’t risk burning or discolouring the wood by using the heat gun on these small areas. It’s best to use a paint stripper which will not damage the surface on these more intricate surfaces.
We've been busy testing the best paint strippers, so you can buy in confidence...and if you're in the middle of a DIY project, check out our other reviews: best paint brushes, best wood primer, best white emulsion and best washable paint, as well as our curated buyer's guides to find the best anti-mould paint, best exterior wood paint, best paint for kitchen cabinets. For all our paint-related content, click here.
Lead paint safety alert
If you suspect you have lead paint please make sure you follow expert safety advice as lead paint can be dangerous.
We have this guide to removing lead paint and the UK Goverment has this informative leaflet
Stay Safe!
This article first appeared in YourHomeStyle and HomeStyle magazine.
