Stripping Lead Paint

[brittas2009]

Hi

We have decided to go back in time and instead of having fully fitted carpet, have a stair runner. Problem is the paint that on either side of the stairs is lifting and cracked so needs to be removed.

I went out today and spent £12 quid on a lead paint test kit, which when I used it showed a bright red result meaning the paint is lead based.

I presume the only way to get this off is to use a wet stripper ?. Also once I've got it off are you safe to use a sander etc on it or is the contamination deep in the wood.


Maybe I'm being to careful - after all I grew up in a house with lead water pipes so have probably been drinking the stuff for years!

As always, any advice would be much appreciated

 

[Lyngarth]

How you do it is up to you, using stripper and then cleaning down with a white spirit before rubbing down is fine.

Myself I would remove flaking paint (dry) and then rub down. Pop a coat of zinsser on it then undercoat and top coat.

I'm sure lots of people will now come on and tell you if you do it my way you will drop dead with lead poisoning, but its the way I have been doing it for the last 31yrs and I'm still here !!

Lyngarth

 

[Robbie uk]

Plenty of ventilation if using a liquid stripper or a heat gun. wear a mask so as not to breathe in any fumes. You shouldnt have any problems really. Make sure you wash your hands if eating afterwards.

 

[JohnD]

.... its the way I have been doing it for the last 31yrs and I'm still here !!

I have a friend who is an early-retired builder, who is also still here, aged 62, but with early-onset dementia which is thought to be caused by years of exposure to lead paint and lead plumbing work