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Heat guns are a great way to
remove old paint, varnish, and other finishes. They
are especially good at taking off multiple layers of
paint – all at once! As you use the heat gun, the
paint softens and bubbles up, making it easy to remove
it with a metal scraper. As you might guess, you'll
need to keep your wits about you with a heat gun. You
don't want to point it at anything other than
the work surface, and you'll need to protect yourself by
wearing long sleeves, safety glasses, and a respirator
designed for use with a heat gun. Keep a fire extinguisher
handy – just in case. |
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 With the
heat gun running, point the nozzle at the work surface,
keeping it about 2 inches away. Move the gun back and
forth across the surface until the paint begins to bubble
and blister. Stop if the finish begins to smoke! |
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 Hold the
putty knife at about a 30-degree angle and use it like a plow to push the paint away. Avoid gouging the wood. Dump
the softened paint sludge into an old coffee can as you
work. Special paint scrapers with angled blades work
better than most ordinary scrapers. |
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 You'll want
to go back over detailed areas with the heat gun, using a
contoured scraper to get into narrow crevices. |
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 Any stubborn flecks that
remain can usually be removed by using just the scraper.
Again, be careful not to damage the work surface. When the
paint is all gone, wash the surface with denatured alcohol
or mineral spirits. |
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RELATED PROJECTS
Patching Peeling Paint
Preparing Woodwork for Painting
Masking Wood Trim
Removing Stains
Removing Mildew
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