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Paint stripping is the process of removing a coat of paint from a surface, we are able to remove paint, powder coating and other coating from metal and wood. There are several ways to complete this process; some of them require caustic paint removers, solvent paint strippers, or sanding and applying heat to the paint.
Sometimes, a number of these methods are used to prepare the item for preservation or preparation. If you’ve ever tried removing paint from wood or attempted to clean an old metal plate, you’ll understand how paint stripping can be painstakingly arduous.
For this reason, many people choose to make use of industrial-level chemical cleaning processes. Thus allowing a smooth, clean metal canvas while preserving the integrity of the metal.
Let’s have a look at some of the basic methods used to remove paint from metal. In this post, you’ll learn about the effects of paint strippers for metal, as well as the basic processes involved.
Chemical-Based Paint Stripper
Chemical paint strippers are the number one go-to for removing paint from metal. These products are usually caustic or solvent-based paint strippers. This means that the product has a specific chemical that dissolves the adhesive between the paint and the metal object.
In some cases, you’ll notice bubbling or cracking effects within the paint. This allows the paint to be scraped off using some of the other mechanical paint stripping tools.
Advantages
The chemical cleaning process is a lot safer thanks to the efficient use of personal protective equipment. In addition, metal items that are fully submerged in a large vat of chemicals remove more paint than regular paint stripping techniques.
The submersion allows the paint to be removed from hard-to-reach places without needing to take many secondary measures like sanding, sand blasting or high-pressure vapour blasting.
Disadvantages
Since the main component in chemical cleaning is, of course, chemicals, it’s important to know which chemicals you’ll be dealing with. Depending on the type of paint used or the age of the metal, the chemicals used will either become stronger or weaker to completely clean the base metal of any paint.
Mechanical Paint Stripping Methods
Sanding and mechanical sanders are good tools for making existing paint thinner. It can also be used to remove excess paint from metals after being chemically cleaned.
Products like mechanical sanders or decent grit sandpaper are great paint strippers for wood as they allow you to control how much material you’re removing from your base product. Although, cleaning metal is a different story. Caustic solutions can also remove paint from wood.
Advantages
Mechanical methods are relatively cheaper compared to certain chemicals. Using sandpaper or mechanical sanders can allow you to work almost anywhere so that you can maintain the dirt and discarded paint.
Things like scrapers are also handy for smaller projects and can help you cut into those sharper nooks and crannies.
Disadvantages
You may find that some tasks require you to work by hand. Detailing every inch of your metal with sandpaper requires time and effort, which is considerably labour-intensive. The financial gains on materials can likely result in extra labour charges.
Paint Stripping Using Heat
A heat gun or hot air gun can also be used to remove paint. Unlike the friction of sanding, the heat gun can cause the paint to crack and dislodge so it can be scraped away.
Ironically, this method is best applied if you’re wondering how to remove paint from wood. The heat from the gun will heat the metal and thus, cause some kind of warping and damage to the metal itself. Although it is worth noting that heat guns can also cause smoke and sometimes fire if used on wood incorrectly.
Advantages
The best aspect of using heat to strip metals is that you won’t be adding any foreign chemicals and shavings to your environment. This will allow you to easily and readily clean your desired item without too much hassle. Despite the length of time it takes, this method is safer for you and the environment.
Disadvantages
In essence, heat guns need to be used thoroughly and strategically to properly remove any paint from the metal. The effects of heat on steel can ultimately result in a compositional change within the metal. The warping and distortion can easily be avoided with chemical cleaning.
Heat removal takes a lot longer than other processes as you will have to pay close attention to each section of the item. While it still requires you to scrape the paint off afterwards, you may find that the environmental advantage rarely outweighs the laborious task.
DIY Paint Remover
Many DIY enthusiasts find themselves searching for how to strip paint. This leads to an attempt at homemade recipes or caustic concoctions that may help with smaller metal objects.
DIY paint remover mixtures usually contain ingredients like ammonia, baking soda, or simply, a quality product from your local hardware store. These processes may work best when applied to smaller products, but may not remove all of the paint or may require a few extra applications of the mixture. So, be sure to wear a respirator and gloves to protect yourself.
Advantages
These DIY efforts are easy to do at home, safe for residential environments, and can be cheaper than trusting the experts.
Disadvantages
You may only be able to appropriately remove paint from smaller objects as larger objects will need a larger quantity of products. Unfortunately, you may also be inhaling toxic chemicals without the correct PPE. You may not be able to work in the proper environment, or may end up using the incorrect chemicals, which can lead to further metal damage.
Final Say on Paint Strippers for Metal
At De Rust It, we use only the best products for our chemical cleaning processes. This allows your base metal to remain intact and maintain its compositional structure. As opposed to other paint stripping processes, like heat guns, that can cause the metal to warp and distort, or mechanical paint stripping methods that can cause abrasion.
While it may be tempting to try your hand at some paint stripping, you may want to get it done by a professional — contact us for a free quote.
