Progress will be tracked here, same as last year. In addition, I will share more of the “how to” stuff and some of the “how not to do” stuff. If someone else learns from my screw ups it will make them a little easier to stomach.
I set up on the north side of the house today to start stripping paint.
Here are the tools of the trade for removing paint. That’s just part of my growing collection of scraper’s. Some are big, some are small, some are pointy, some are flat. But they each serve a specific purpose when called upon.The device at the back is my secret weapon – the Speedheater. Two infrared light bulbs heat the paint and separate it from the wood.
Here’s how it works. To the right is a section of peeling, alligatored, and
failing paint. After I remove the loose stuff, I the turn the Speedheater loose on it. You hold the device over one spot about 45 seconds and the paint starts to bubble, separating from the wood.
A scraper then can easily remove the paint. And in case you are wondering, this is lead paint and not stuff you want to mess with. This is why I’m a big fan of the Speedheater. The paint comes off in large, gooey masses like this. 
There’s very little “dry scraping” which puts dangerous dust in the air. A plastic tarp below captures everything that falls. Hit the Speedheater website for more information on the advantages of this type of paint removal.
This is what the wood looks like after the paint is removed. It will get sanded next, cleaned and then painted.
This is what the wood looks like after the paint is removed. It will get sanded next, cleaned and then painted.
The north side of the house will take me a while to clean up. If anyone out there has an interest in seeing the Speedheater in use please feel free to email me and we’ll schedule some time together for a demo. I’ve even been know to loan it out on occasion when I’m not planning to use it. 
3 comments:
Excellent timing. A COA for stripping and painting dormers will be forthcoming from the bluegill estate this week.
It'll be a good opportunity to learn exactly what we've gotten ourselves into before removing the cursed aluminum siding from the rest of the house.
I love following these installments Ted, especially when you get mad. :-)
We're doing the roof this spring which will involve tearing off shingles, shingles and af ew more shingles then some cedar shakes then some one bys then putting on a whole new roof system. (and by we I mean Adam) :-)
Bluegill - hopefully your paint is adhering well and doesn't need to be removed.
Ceece - you're pretty amusing when you get mad too ;)
Keep us posted on the roof work. It sounds like fun!
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