· When thick multiple coats of paint exist; a heat gun can remove the bulk of what is on the surface, reducing the amount of paint that is left to remove, as well as the amount of “Stripper” that is used.
· However the use of a heat gun posses significant health and fire risks, see “Health and Safety”
· A heat gun is not for everybody, if you do not master this technique quickly or the paint does not come away easily, do not continue with the “Heat Gun”.
· Avoid trying to strip absolutely everything with the heat gun as it is easy to scorch or scratch the timber when doing this.
Heat gun by using the following steps:
a. Use the heat gun to soften a section of paint by moving the heat backwards & forwards over it so that the flexible putty knife is able to slide under the paint.
b. Keep the heat moving just in front of the blade so that the blade is able to keep moving.
c. Use an old spoon upside down when working on curved mouldings.
d. When complete allow the surface to cool before applying “Stripper”
Notes:
a. Refer to the “Health & Safety” section for important lead paint removal information.
b. Use an electronically controlled (adjustable heat) 2 KW gun & a 50 mm flexible putty knife.
c. Keep the heat moving to avoid scorching the timber, if the paint starts to turn black you are too close or the heat is set too high.
d. Adjust the heat intensity on the gun to a point where the paint starts to soften.
e. Keep the angle of the putty knife low against the wood to avoid stabbing the wood.
f. A lead rated respirator should be worn when heat gunning.
g. Keep the heat gun away from flammable materials during & after use while the gun is hot.
Some paints do not heat gun well. If you do not master this technique or the paint just does not seem to want to easily come away, do not continue with the heat Gun.