Steam Paint Removal

[fudgedogbannana]

So if you hired a painter to strip the paint off of all the windows(15) and doors(10) in your house you could expect to pay $ 2,500. or more just to strip the paint off, then sand, prime and paint another $ 2,000. thats $4,500. maybe another $2,000. walls and ceilings for a small 3 bedroom house will run you $6,500. if you,re lucky which is half of what I paid for my entire 1600 sq. ft. house on a 50X100 lot. where is the sanity in this?

[johnleeke]

Since you imply that it would not be good for you spend all that money, in your situation it may not be a good thing for YOU to do, but not everyone is in your situation.

What you paid for your house does not have much to do with how to remove paint. I know someone who got a good deal and paid $2k for a house that is worth $35k. That does not mean that they should not spend more than $2k taking care of the place...

[johnleeke]

...in fact, they got such a good deal on the place that they have about $10k to spend taking care of the place. Let's say they do hire a friend who is a painter for $6,500 to work on the door and windows. There could be worse things in this world than helping a friend support his family. There is more to life than dollars.

[phillyflash43]

I need to RENT that tool!

[tvhk04]

I wish i have too much time to do this.

[echtconservative]

Thank you for the excellent demonstration! I'll have to try my clothing steamer on this. It sure seems to beat both toxic solvents, dangerous heat guns and expensive infrared lamps.

[TASHIAWATKINS]

can u do this on wood staining?

[johnleeke]

I have only used this steam method to remove heavy paint buildup from wood.

The only way to determine what it would do with wood staining is to try it out. Since stain is usually embedded within and just below the surface of the wood, I am pretty sure it would not have the same result as removing paint, which is in layers on top of the wood surface.

John

[johnleeke]

partwerks:

YouTube changed the webpage layout. For more you can now click on "Excerpt from the Steam Paint Removal booklet:". Hope this helps.

[johnleeke]

I would not say it takes TOO long. It takes a certain amount of time, that can vary a lot depending on the paint conditions and the temperament of the worker. It is slower than some methods and faster than others. There are dozens of paint removal methods and each has its own combination of characteristics. For example, steam paint removal is usually slower than a hot-air gun, but steam absolutely will not start a building fire the way a hot-air gun can.

--John

[jun19020987]

Doesnt it take too long? How about Air craft paint remover?

[johnleeke]

I would not say it takes TOO long. It takes a certain amount of time, that can vary a lot depending on the paint conditions and the temperament of the worker. It is slower than some methods and faster than others. There are dozens of paint removal methods and each has its own combination of characteristics. For example, steam paint removal is usually slower than a hot-air gun, but steam absolutely will not start a building fire the way a hot-air gun can.

--John

[Lagolop]

Is this a device you built or would the same result be attained with a steam wallpaper remover?

[johnleeke]

Wallpaper steamer would work if it is rated more than 1500 watts. Click on "more info" above for a link to discussion, photos, etc.

--John

[leapfroglilly]

can u do this on drywall?????????

[johnleeke]

It has been developed for paint on wood. I have not tried it on drywall. It is very possible the moisture would damage the paper skin of the drywall.

--John

[irgeniusib]

@leapfroglilly it it would cost you less to re drywall the wall. steam will sog the drywall

[2thrifty]

What would be a faster and equivalent 'green' way to strip paint from wood ceiling beams?

[johnleeke]

Nothing I have come across that could be considered truly 'green' will be faster. If you are into 'greenwashing' (fake green), then you just buy a product that says it is 'green' or has green ink on the label or packaging. Heck, just buy a can of green spray paint and spray it on anyt;hing and you can say it is 'green.' That way you can think it is green, but is it really green?

[1mustafaa23]

good job

[nerdflanders8710]

with the asmount of protectivegear you have on you would think you are diffusing a nuclear weapon.

[johnleeke]

Nope, not diffusing a weapon, just keeping healthy by avoiding lead-poisoning using proven lead-safe methods.

[stuart5150]

wow thats slick!

[mik38BB]

what is the proper name of the steam tool, about how much does it cost, and where can I buy one. I have lead paint in my moldings and windows I cant affort to have it done. Any suggestions?

[johnleeke]

Click on "more info" at the upper right of this youtube webpage for answers to these questions and more.

--John

[cheddarbob111]

Just use a wallpaper steam remover. Steam is steam. An old kettle would do the same thing. Its not rocket science.

[mik38BB]

No not rocket science, just my childrens health. Already done, your about two months too late...

[dougfunny778]

water will get into the wood and make the paint peel or bubble when the wood is repainted

[johnleeke]

You are right, moisture penetrates about 1/16" into the wood surface, but then it dries out within a few hours or by the next day. We have had no problems with paint peeling or bubbling due to moisture.

[johnleeke]

Click on "More Info" (upper right) to find a link to further discussion of moisture and other aspects of this paint removal method. --John

[johnleeke]

Yer welcome. Learn more at my website.

[dsigngrrl]

This is great. Just what I needed, and very helpful. Thanks.

[raydave]

Thank you for this!! I live in an old craftsman house (built in 1913) and this may be the ticket to not having to re-do (as in new wood) all the orignal cupboards.