DIYbanter - View Single Post

Al Bundy

wrote in
:

On 15 Oct 2006 17:28:08 -0700, "redbrickhat"
wrote:

Joseph Meehan wrote:
Tazz wrote:
You will spend more time trying to take the paint off then you
would going and getting new ones.

Turn the breaker off anytime you do any kind of work on a
receptacle.

If the paint tests positive for lead why is the landlord not
taking care of this.?

I thought by law they had to.

I live in an old apartment in New York City.

Some of the electrical receptacles which I wish to renovate are
painted over with old paint.

Questions:

A) What is the best way to remove the old paint? Do you think I
can simply use a chisel to scrape off the edges and the center
screw?

B) Do I have to turn off the circuit while doing this?

C) If the lead paint test is positive, what precautions should I
take, considering that I will only be scraping off the edges?

Thank you.

I agree. Just buy new ones (get good ones not the cheap
contractor
grade trash) It will be easier and better and not expensive.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit

The receptacles are painted over completely with the wall paint, so
i'ts impossible to remove the receptacles without first breaking off
the paint first.

I tested the outer layer of paint for lead and received a negative
response.

However, there might be an older underlying layer of paint. Do you
think I should bother testing it? I won't be producing much dust by
chipping off the receptacle's corners.

Thanks.

Good grief.
I cant believe how some people can make things so complicated.

1. Shut off the power

Run a utility knife around the edge of the cover plate to
eliminate/reduce paint chipping when you do step 2.

2. Take a screwdriver and bust the covers off. Just break them.
3. Remove the outlet screws and pull them out of the wall.
4. Replace them with new ones, and wire EXACTLY as they were.
(remember, white wires to silver screws, black wires to gold colored
screws, and green or bare wires to green screws).
5. Screw outlet back into wall box.
6. Install a new cover plate.

7. Dont worry about lead paint unless you are going to eat the old
outlets and/or paint.

8 If you are still all paranoid about lead, go to a mental health
center and seek therapy. Our government created this paranoia about
lead, so let them pay for your care. Lead is NOT going to do you any
harm unless you INJEST IT, or someone shoots you with it.