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Remove a Century of Lead Paint Build-up from Your Front Door in a Project That Is Not Quite a Honeymoon!

Spend your honeymoon or your weekend revealing your front door's century-old style and workmanship under decades of lead paint build-up. Remove the layers with modern paste strippers that cling while they work. Throughout the project, protect yourself from exposure to the lead and chemicals with required protective gear! It's a memorable and productive way to start a marriage!

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un-mounting the door to remove lead paint
Step 1

Lay the Door Flat While You Remove Paint

Lift the door off its hinges with a pry bar and a block of wood that also saves your back. Choose a work area that is well ventilated but protected from weather while you remove lead paint.

detaching the hardware to remove lead paint
Step 2

Detach Hardware before Starting to Remove Lead Paint

Remove all the hardware. It may also require your efforts to remove lead paint so it can be preserved for reinstallation. Beneath, you may see just how many different colors and coats of lead paint have been applied.

removing lead paint and glazing
Step 3

Remove Paint and Glazing from the Glass

Chip out fractured glazing compound around the glass window to lift it out. Remove lead paint from the glass and preserve the window for reinstallation--especially if waves and imperfections indicate the glass is as old as the door!

wearing protective gear while we remove lead paint
Step 4

Protect Yourself while You Remove Paint

Wear respirators and disposable paper coveralls along with gloves and eye protection to ensure that you protect yourself while you remove lead paint. Such harmful elements are controlled now, but in bygone eras, they were in common use.

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brushing on stripper to remove lead paint
Step 5

Apply Paste Stripper to Remove Paint

Use a clinging paste-type stripper to remove lead paint. Brush a generous amount on the surface, but don't over-brush or the active ingredients will evaporate before they have time to work.

lifting off layers of lead paint
Step 6

Remove Paint Layers with a Putty Knife

Remove lead paint layers, lifting the softened and bubbled layers off with a wide putty knife. Use a brass-bristled brush to remove loose paint from the moldings. Some paint may resist the stripper.

applying a new formula to remove lead paint
Step 7

Use a Different Stripper to Remove Paint

Change to an alkaline-based stripper to remove lead paint when the last few coats were not touched by the original paint stripper. Apply the new formula with a putty knife to flat areas and use brush on molding and details.

keeping alkaline paste stripper wet to remove lead paint
Step 8

Keep Alkaline Paste Wet to Remove Paint

Keep the alkaline paste wet for 24 hours to remove lead paint. Cover it with freezer paper (shiny side up) pressed in contact to eliminate as much air as possible. Drape the entire project with heavy plastic sheeting.

lifting with a putty knife to remove lead paint
Step 9

Working a Section at a Time to Remove Paint

Work one section at a time, lifting with a putty knife to remove lead paint. Keep the alkaline stripper damp until the lead paint is removed.

discussing options to remove lead paint
Step 10

Continue Applying Stripper to Remove Paint Layers

Continue applying stripper to remove lead paint layers until the bare wood is ready for stain and varnish. The alternative is to resort to sanding the remaining patches and then priming and repainting the door. (Don't give up!)

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