Hi all

I am sifting my way through upgrading 1970s dump and wondered whether it
would be safe to use a blow lamp for paint stripping.
The last 2 door frames have been stripped using Nitromors, but this takes
forever (one application for each layer of paint).

So, the question is, will interior paint used in 1973 onwards contain lead?
Is there any way to check other than submitting yourself to the fumes and
waiting to see if the respiratory system packs up?

TIA

Phil

So, the question is, will interior paint used in 1973 onwards contain
lead?
Is there any way to check other than submitting yourself to the fumes and
waiting to see if the respiratory system packs up?

Strangely, using a proper blow lamp on lead paint isn't a problem, as the
high temperature reduces the compound to something less dangerous. I was led
to believe that the same is not true of electric "hair dryer" type units.
The worst method is to sand it off.

I may be mistaken, however, so check first and don't come to me with a
liability claim!

Christian.

TheScullster wrote:

So, the question is, will interior paint used in 1973 onwards contain lead?
Is there any way to check other than submitting yourself to the fumes and
waiting to see if the respiratory system packs up?

The labels on several cans of paint in my 'collection' include warnings
to be careful about stripping "pre-1960s" paint due to lead content
concerns; so on that basis you should be OK.

If you're really paranoid about it you can buy little test kits from B&Q
etc just for this purpose.

David

Thanks guys - excellent help

Phil

"Christian McArdle" wrote in message
...
So, the question is, will interior paint used in 1973 onwards contain
lead?
Is there any way to check other than submitting yourself to the fumes and
waiting to see if the respiratory system packs up?

Strangely, using a proper blow lamp on lead paint isn't a problem, as the
high temperature reduces the compound to something less dangerous. I was
led
to believe that the same is not true of electric "hair dryer" type units.
The worst method is to sand it off.

I may be mistaken, however, so check first and don't come to me with a
liability claim!

The DEFRA guide says "Hot-air guns should only be used so that it will only
cause softening of the paint film - do not burn the paint as this will give
off fumes. The gun setting must be below 450°C." so I think you may well be
wrong.

H

The DEFRA guide says "Hot-air guns should only be used so that it will
only
cause softening of the paint film - do not burn the paint as this will
give
off fumes. The gun setting must be below 450°C." so I think you may well
be
wrong.

I don't doubt it! My memory isn't quite what it used to be.

Christian.

"Christian McArdle" wrote in message
...
The DEFRA guide says "Hot-air guns should only be used so that it will
only
cause softening of the paint film - do not burn the paint as this will
give
off fumes. The gun setting must be below 450°C." so I think you may well
be
wrong.

I don't doubt it! My memory isn't quite what it used to be.

Christian.

Too much stripping old paint with a blow torch maybe? ;-)

H