Strip layers of poorly applied paint before finishing a surface.
The world's ablaze with the concept of going green. Heeding environmental activists' warnings about global warming, carbon emissions, toxins in water and the like, many people are choosing to use fewer chemicals. Environmentally conscious individuals used to have sanding and heat-stripping as their only options for nontoxic paint removal. Fortunately, growing awareness of the importance of environmentally friendly products has prompted companies to create nontoxic paint strippers that work nearly as well as traditional chemical alternatives.
Instructions
1. Tape off any surfaces near the work area that you don't want stripped.
2. Put on goggles and chemical-resistant gloves. Also put on a dust mask or respirator if you're working in a small, enclosed area. Although nontoxic paint strippers are environmentally friendly, they are still harsh enough to strip paint and can irritate the eyes and skin.
3. Apply a nontoxic paint stripper to the paint. Follow the instructions on the product labeling. If the paint stripper requires a brush application, apply a thick, even layer, brushing in one direction.
4. Allow the stripper to sit for the duration specified on the label. Nontoxic paint strippers tend to work slower than traditional paint strippers, and softening the paint can take 30 minutes or more.
5. Rub a paint scraper in a small circle over a portion of the paint to see if the paint is sufficiently softened. Once the paint is loosened, use the scraper to remove the paint.
6. Wash the surface with a coarse rag. Dampen the rag with water if you're using a water-soluble stripper. Dampen the rag with mineral spirits if the paint stripper isn't water soluble.
7. Remove any remaining light streaks of paint by gently rubbing it with steel wool. Dampen the steel wool with water or mineral spirits prior to removing the paint.
8. Apply more paint stripper if necessary to remove any remaining thick, stubborn layers of paint.
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