How To Remove Lead Paint From Antique Furniture

How to use citristrip stripper the best paint and stain stripper out there.

How to remove lead paint from antique furniture. Lead based paint can lead to a number of health hazards so it is best to eliminate it in your home. Removing paint and varnish from old furniture isn t always quick but it s not hard either. First remove hardware such as pulls knobs and hinges. Federal government banned the sale of lead based paint on the consumer market.

Spray areas of chipped or peeling paint thoroughly with a spray bottle filled with water. Lead has been traced to a range of health concerns chiefly among children by definition the older your painted wood furniture is the greater the chance it will have been coated with lead based paint chip off the correct amount of paint required by the kit and test it. If you have furniture that is covered in lead based paint and you want to refinish it you can do so safely if you follow the proper steps. In 1978 the u s.

Follow the simple steps below to strip and remove lead based paint so you can refinish your furniture. Our favorite way to remove paint or stain is to use this chemical stripper called citristrip. Any removal of lead paint may also be subject to federal and state regulations. The key to removing lead paint is to work wet which reduces the risk of inhaling lead dust.

Prepare yourself with a few handy tools and a bit of patience. Paint used before 1978 most likely has lead in it so since we knew we were working with lead paint we knew better than to start sanding the paint to remove it. Not all painted furniture from the past was created with lead based paint but much of it was so you do need to be careful especially with small children in the house. Maxwell suggests writing numbers on the parts or even taking a few before pictures to help with reassembly when you re done.

Test paint for lead. Lead is toxic and exposure can cause serious illness especially in children and pregnant women. The danger lies in ingesting paint chips and inhaling paint dust not in touching so chipping surfaces pose the greatest threat. You ll be excited about redoing furniture and no longer wondering what it really takes to make a cheap find ready for your home.

Lead poisoning is a serious health problem especially for kids age 6 and younger and the primary source of that lead is dust from deteriorating lead paint. If the piece is damaged fix it before removing the paint.