Though most can simply go over the paint that is already on the wall when repainting a room, there are many times when you might not want to do that. If the paint is dark, and you are going to put on a light color, you may have to get rid of the paint on the wall first. You may also need to take paint off of a dresser or other pieces of furniture that you want to redo. Too many layers of paint on something like that can mean the pieces started to stick and you will have problems with moving parts. Though sanders are useful, there may be a time when you need to use paint stripper.
Thankfully, paint stripper is not what it used to be. This substance used to be very toxic, and people avoided using it inside the home if at all possible. You had to wear safety gear when you used it, and after a while, the fumes would always get to you. If you weren’t careful, you could get sick from using the paint stripper. Today, the types you can get are much safer, though granted, you do have to use safety equipment, and you should avoid using it in the home if at all possible. If you do, you must have proper ventilation, and it might be smart to keep the kids and pets away for a day or two.
When you buy paint stripper, look at the directions for use. Some work very fast, but those might not be the ones that are the safest to use in the home. However, if you are stripping something outdoors, and you are not concerned about the fumes, this fast paint stripper can do wonders. You may have to take extra care with corners and crevices. As you can imagine, the number of paint layers you are trying to remove will decide how long it will take and how easy it might be.
Most suggest using paint stripper only if a sander will not do. A sander is great for most flat surfaces, and can even work on some rounded ones, but it simply can not get everything. That is when a paint stripper will come into play. Make sure you get the right kind and that you follow all directions for the sake of safety as well as effectiveness. You may have to buy different kinds for oil based or water based paints, so keep that in mind when you shop.
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