Paint Stripping Question
 

My research continues, in my search for something that will strip
paint, won't eat my brain, and doesn't require disposal in a toxic waste
dump.

I've been looking for washing soda (socium carbonate), to try, but
haven't found anything labeled that. Arm & Hammer soap granules
contains it, and if that won't work, I can always use it to wash
clothes. But I've got 3 jugs of liquid clothes soap, so passed for now.

This evening, in the grocery store, I saw drain cleaners, and
remembered lye is sold to clear drains, and can strip paint. I also
remembered reading about gel paint strippers (with lye) - can brush on,
the gel keeps it moist - caustic, of course, but it won't dissolve your
brain. I only found one type, in the stores I checked, priced $30+ a
gallon, the only size they had. Way pricey for me.

I don't care to mess with lye crystals, so checked gel cleaners.
Draino Max Gel, seemed promising, it has sodium hydroxide (lye), and
sodium hypochlorite (a bleaching agent). Didn't buy, as I knew I had
something at home. Liquid-Plumr Gel, and basically the same
ingredients.

I haven't tried it yet, because I can't think of anything painted
I'm willing to experiment on. When I do, I'll check it out.

So, my questions are;
Has anyone here tried any of these gels for paint stripping?
And, if so, how did well did it work?





JOAT
The Truth Shall Set Ye Fret

www.silentpaintremover.com

No affiliation, just have used it before with fantastic results.
Better than the chemicals (which I have also used.).

Sun, Oct 2, 2005, 5:22am (EDT-3)
doth sayeth:
www.silentpaintremover.com
No affiliation, just have used it before with fantastic results. Better
than the chemicals (which I have also used.).

No thanks, not what I'm interested in.



JOAT
The Truth Shall Set Ye Frea

JOAT,

Arm & Hammer markets their sodium carbonate under the name "Super Washing Soda" in a yellow box
about the size of a small box of Grape Nuts. Never tried it as a paint stripper. I use a
tablespoon in a gallon or so of water for electrolysis of rusty planes I occasionally drag home from
the flea market.

Fels Naphtha used to sell a laundry bar that was essentially nothing but caustic soda (lye, sodium
hydroxide). I don't know if it is still available or not.

I talked with an antique dealer in Newport, Tennessee last summer who is a good friend to my Mom.
One of the many topics was what he recommended for homeowners doing refinishing, and what did he use
in his business. His answer was something like "Use what I use. Whatever's cheapest at Wal-mart."
We've been following that advice since then.

Chemical strippers work. Just do it outside. Wipe the old paint off on newspaper and let it dry
before putting it in the trash.

Here is a great site with a wealth of info. Many, many articles. Somewhere here, you, the Master
of Internet Seachdom, must find something that will help.

http://antiquerestorers.com/FAQ.htm

Good luck, hope this helps, and pays back a little for all the great links you've posted for the
group.

Roy



On Sun, 2 Oct 2005 02:55:56 -0400, (J T) wrote:

My research continues, in my search for something that will strip
paint, won't eat my brain, and doesn't require disposal in a toxic waste
dump.

I've been looking for washing soda (socium carbonate), to try, but
haven't found anything labeled that. Arm & Hammer soap granules
contains it, and if that won't work, I can always use it to wash
clothes. But I've got 3 jugs of liquid clothes soap, so passed for now.

This evening, in the grocery store, I saw drain cleaners, and
remembered lye is sold to clear drains, and can strip paint. I also
remembered reading about gel paint strippers (with lye) - can brush on,
the gel keeps it moist - caustic, of course, but it won't dissolve your
brain. I only found one type, in the stores I checked, priced $30+ a
gallon, the only size they had. Way pricey for me.

I don't care to mess with lye crystals, so checked gel cleaners.
Draino Max Gel, seemed promising, it has sodium hydroxide (lye), and
sodium hypochlorite (a bleaching agent). Didn't buy, as I knew I had
something at home. Liquid-Plumr Gel, and basically the same
ingredients.

I haven't tried it yet, because I can't think of anything painted
I'm willing to experiment on. When I do, I'll check it out.

So, my questions are;
Has anyone here tried any of these gels for paint stripping?
And, if so, how did well did it work?





JOAT
The Truth Shall Set Ye Fret

Mon, Oct 3, 2005, 12:25am (EDT+4) (Roy) posteth:
snip Good luck, hope this helps, and pays back a little for all the
great links you've posted for the group.

Aw gee, you liked the pinecone turkey. LOL Thanks for the link,
I'll check it out.

My latest project will be finished using tea stain, a small portion
with a black latex wash, and a bit of lettering, in the best of good
taste of course, using yellow latex. Then the whole thing will be
topped off with Johnson's Paste Wax. Nothing like going first class, I
always say. I've still got my original tin of Johnson's, not even half
used yet, plus a brand-new tin I got for $1 at a yard sale. Hehehe



JOAT
The Truth Shall Set Ye Frea

On Sun, 2 Oct 2005 22:20:16 -0400, (J T) wrote:

Mon, Oct 3, 2005, 12:25am (EDT+4) (Roy) posteth:
snip Good luck, hope this helps, and pays back a little for all the
great links you've posted for the group.

Aw gee, you liked the pinecone turkey. LOL Thanks for the link,
I'll check it out.

Actually, I'm most impressed with your taste in Pukey Ducks. You outdid yourself with the post on
the Toilet Bowl Pukey Duck. It don't get no better than that. Even an old hilljack like me had to
be impressed. Turkeys, even pine cone ones, are a dime a dozen, but it ain't every day you see a
TBPD.

Roy



My latest project will be finished using tea stain, a small portion
with a black latex wash, and a bit of lettering, in the best of good
taste of course, using yellow latex. Then the whole thing will be
topped off with Johnson's Paste Wax. Nothing like going first class, I
always say. I've still got my original tin of Johnson's, not even half
used yet, plus a brand-new tin I got for $1 at a yard sale. Hehehe



JOAT
The Truth Shall Set Ye Frea

Tue, Oct 4, 2005, 2:01am (EDT+4) (Roy) did posteth:
Actually, I'm most impressed with your taste in Pukey Ducks. You outdid
yourself with the post on the Toilet Bowl Pukey Duck. It don't get no
better than that. Even an old hilljack like me had to be impressed.
Turkeys, even pine cone ones, are a dime a dozen, but it ain't every day
you see a TBPD.

Ah, always a pleasure meeting someone with impeccable good taste,
such as yourself.

As long as you understand that I run across stuff like that while
making searches for other things. I think it'd be impossible to find
quality stuff like that on purpose. I'm in the process of making a
batch of varied searches, so may well run across something good. I'll
post it if I do.



JOAT
The Truth Shall Set Ye Frea