Strip paint from woodwork with a heat gun

Strip old paint from skirting, doors and mouldings safely using a heat gun, scraper and the right PPE.

HG-01Clear and protect the areaMove furniture out of the way or cover it, and lay dust sheets over the floor and anything nearby. Open windows for ventilation, since heat guns give off fumes even from paint without lead in it. Take down curtains or blinds near any window you're working on, and keep pets and children out of the room while you work.

2 each · Dust sheet (cotton twill)

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1 roll · Masking tape 50mm

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HG-02Check whether the paint could contain leadIf the woodwork was painted before 1992, and especially before the 1960s, treat old layers as possibly containing lead. Scrape a small sample and test it with a lead paint test kit if you're not sure. If lead is confirmed, don't dry-strip it with a heat gun.

RULES

1 pack · Lead paint test kit

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KNOW THE RULES

HSE advises against heat gun stripping on lead paint, because heating it releases toxic lead fumes. If lead is confirmed, use a chemical paint stripper or wet-sand instead, and wear a respirator rated for lead dust.

HG-03Put on the right PPE for this jobWear heat-resistant gloves so hot paint and the gun's nozzle can't burn you, plus safety glasses for flying flakes. Wear a respirator with an organic vapour cartridge, or a P3-rated mask if there's any chance of lead dust. Cover bare arms with long sleeves, since hot paint flakes can stick to skin.

1 pair · Heat-resistant gloves

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1 each · Respirator with organic vapour cartridge

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1 each · Safety glasses

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HG-04Set up and test the heat gunPlug in away from your work area and test on a hidden scrap of painted wood first, to find a heat setting that softens paint without scorching it. Hold the nozzle 50-100mm from the surface. Never point the gun at glazing in a door — sudden heat can crack the glass — and never hold it still on one spot for more than a couple of seconds.

1 each · Heat gun (2000W)

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HG-05Strip flat surfacesMove the gun steadily side to side, about 50-100mm from the wood, working just ahead of your scraper. As soon as the paint bubbles, scrape it off in short sections of 150-200mm. Keep the scraper angled away from you and use even pressure so you don't gouge the timber.

1 each · Flat scraper 50mm

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HG-06Strip mouldings and detailed profilesSwap to a shave hook shaped to match the moulding for beading, architrave and panel edges. Heat a small area, then scrape immediately, working slowly round curves and corners. If you're stripping skirting near a socket, switch off that circuit at the consumer unit first — heat plus a metal scraper close to a live fitting is a shock risk.

1 set · Shave hook / detail scraper set

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HG-07Manage fire risk as you workKeep a metal tin or bucket beside you for hot scrapings — never drop them into a bin bag or onto a dust sheet, since smouldering paint can start a fire hours later. Never leave the heat gun switched on and unattended, even for a moment. Keep a fire extinguisher or fire blanket within reach, especially on old, dry timber.

1 each · Metal paint-scrapings tin

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1 each · Fire blanket

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HG-08Clean up and dispose of waste safelyLet scrapings cool completely in the metal tin before bagging them. Sweep and vacuum the whole area, including skirting gaps and floor cracks, to catch every flake. If your test in step HG-02 showed lead, double-bag the waste and take it to your council's hazardous waste site instead of the normal bin.

RULES

1 pack · Heavy duty rubbish bags

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KNOW THE RULES

Lead paint waste is treated as hazardous waste. Check your local council's rules and use their hazardous waste disposal point, not household rubbish collection.

HG-09Prepare the bare wood for finishingSand the stripped wood with 120 grit, then 180 grit, to remove any leftover flakes and smooth the surface. Wipe it down with a tack cloth to lift the dust. Fill any gouges or scorch marks with wood filler and sand flush once it's dry.

1 pack · Sandpaper 120 grit

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1 pack · Sandpaper 180 grit

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1 each · Tack cloth

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1 400g tub · Wood filler

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HG-10Do a final fire check before you leaveCheck the stripped woodwork and the tin of scrapings once more for warmth — heat gun fires can start hours after you've finished, especially in old dry skirting or door frames. Leave a window open and don't leave the room unattended for at least an hour. Store any paint waste outside, well away from the building, until it's fully cool.

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