Exterior Painting Amador County, CA: Options for Stripping Exterior Paint
Exterior Painting Amador County, CA: Options for Stripping Exterior Paint
When the paint is peeling on a house, many homeowners in Amador County CA opt for vinyl siding.
But if you have an old house with a large exterior, you may not want to hide its beauty. And this is where exterior painting comes in.
Stripping the paint is tough potentially dangerous. So, what are your options for stripping exterior paint?
Propane Blowtorch
The torch has been an eternal favorite for many homeowner’s owners for many years because it is cheap and relatively quick.
But its disadvantages far outweigh its advantages. First, it’s dangerous.
Applying a very hot flame to an old, often brittle, wood siding will invite firefighters to your home, sooner or later.
Not only can you light a fire on the wooden siding, but you can unintentionally knock on pockets in the walls that may contain other dry matter.
As any homeowner who has removed a wall knows, inside you will find newspapers, blown paper insulation, and other highly flammable material.
Second, hitting lead paint with flames releases toxic lead fumes. You can be sure that your old house has lead-based paint.
My advice? This is not the best option.
Heat Gun
Electric heaters are safer than torches because they do not work hot enough to release toxic fumes.
You also have less risk of setting your house on fire, but the risk is still there.
They’re not a viable option for large areas, but they work well for small, difficult areas or ornamental surfaces.
Sandblasting
Certainly not a do-it-yourself project, sanding removes paint, but it is also very effective in removing wood layers.
If you choose this option, be aware that sandblasting will add grained feel into your wood so that it will have a rough and grooved appearance.
Electric Sanders
Orbital (rotary) or belt sanders are a good option. They tear off the paint quickly.
However, if you sand too hard, you risk damaging the wood. And again, there is the problem of lead-based paint.
Anything the sander removes is immediately converted to dust. The dust that gets into your hair, your face and your lungs.
Check in your neighborhood if it is even legal to use these types of sanders. Some HOAs prohibit them.
Chemical Strippers
Now you probably have two toxins to fight: lead and chemicals in the stripper. But let’s put that aside for a moment and talk about price.
A typical chemical stripper costs around $85 per gallon. Imagine how many gallons it would take to strip your entire house?
Despite the toxicity, chemical strippers have their place in the workshop. It’s satisfying to see this paint bubble right away.
Save it for small projects, however.
Manual Scraping
A sharp, stiff putty knife or a blade designed only to scrape off paint could be your best choice. You will minimize dust and control better than if you were using a sander.
If you have a very loose or alligator paint, scratching is easier than any other option. Get a whetstone to keep this scraper sharp.
Scraping – although it is hard work – tends to be the best choice for general stripping of exterior paint.
Need Help With That?
Stripping and repainting your home exterior can be extremely overwhelming especially if you don’t have the right tools, experience, and training.
Hiring a professional painting company in Amador County, CA is the best way to get high-quality and durable results.
If you haven’t identified a reliable painting contractor yet, Michael Hines Painting would love an opportunity to be your go-to interior painter in Amador County.
Call us at 209-256-4587 to book a FREE estimate, and let us help you paint your home because you have better ways to spend your weekend!
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