Yes, heat gun is one of the options to remove old paint from many surfaces at home or other do it yourself projects.

Using heat gun to remove paint is very economical and fast procedure if used properly with caution. Many professionals pick this method due to simplicity and evolving tools.

Today we are going to teach you how one tool can save tons of money and time. You can do it on your own without hiring expensive contractors.

Heat guns slowly overthrow old methods like sanding by hand or using dangerous chemicals. This is simply the best solution when trying to remove old paint at home or use a solution for contracting business.

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How to Remove Paint with Heat Gun?

Each specific model of heat gun has direct manual for usage and safety. To summarize all of them together and provide basic instructions we list 5 steps on using heat gun to remove paint.

1. Check All Features

Our example always starts with regular home owner who has never used a tool before. Rented or purchased heat gun should be checked for its condition and functions.

Working with faulty equipment or unknown features that can cause damage to surface you are trying to remove paint from is not the best idea to start with.

2. Heat the Paint

Now it’s time to start using heat gun. Point it at surface with approximate distance of 3 to 4 inches away. Closer distance can damage material and start burning it.

We recommend starting with lower heat level just to try it out and moving to medium or high later on. Try it out before understanding full functionality and how well it works on your material and paint removal.

3. Scrape Paint Off

The layer of paint should start bubbling and slowing coming off. It would not fall off ideally just because point enormous heat at it.

Using regular metal scraper you slide the surface and help remove the paint. Technically heat gun only helps pain get detached from original surface of material and scraper fully removes it.

4. Repeat the Procedure

It almost never works perfectly from first time. Repeat heating old paint and scraping it off until fully removed from wood or brick materials.

Beginners need at least 3 or 4 times of tries removing paint with heat gun until it all goes away. Professionals like to work slower at each try but get it done after second round.

5. Sand or Clean Surface

Fully removed paint is not a finished product that looks ideal. There are always small bits and pieces that have to be properly removed.

For wood we recommend typical sander. It sands down deficiencies and bumps that were created with paint. Harder surfaces like stone or concrete work better with hard brushes or sand paper bricks.

Pros and Cons of Heat Gun for Paint Removal

There are several methods of paint removal that can be compared to heat guns. Of course each method has their own benefits and negative sides. Here are pros and cons of heat guns:

Pros

Cost of Heat Gun

Unlike other methods, there is no need to buy large amount of chemicals or materials for paint removal. Simply need a paint gun, putty knife and lots of free time.

Starter quality tools wound cost under $50 and professional contractor heat gun is $100 – $150. It can be used for few years on multiple jobs.

Easy to Use

Heat guns are very easy to use. Simply point at surface and hold 3-4 inches away while paint heats up and starts to loosen up.

Follow procedures from manual or our simplified step by step program. Once learned you can never go wrong with actual process, just don’t forget safety measures.

Penetration of Paint Layers

As we know, older homes can have several layers of paint. Heat guns don’t care about all that, and everything is heated up at the same time.

Unlike chemicals, heat loosens up all layers of paint at the same time and you can save time getting it all off together.

Cons

Safety and Fire Hazard

Although it is less hazardous than paint removal chemicals, heat fun can still cause burns to hands. It is most common injury till this day, no matter how careful people claim to be.

Removing paint from flammable material like wood gives extra fire hazards. Ventilate the room and be very careful with not setting work station on fire.

Time Consumption

Small wooden shelves and cabinets can take forever to get paint of with heat gun. If you want it to look perfect it will take lots of time.

It may not be worth the time removing the paint and refurbishing the item. Why not just buy new one? Analyze if your time vs money spent on same new item.

Multiple Attempts

We previously said that working with heat gun requires multiple attempts to get paint off. This creates problems and downsides for choosing this specific method.

Chemicals or commercial sanders can potentially remove paint with one use if work is not complicated. It may be the reason to choose something else versus heat gun.

Proper Safety Measures for Heat Guns

When using any tools for remodeling or fix project first priority should be safety. Heat gun is no exception and we want all readers to be extra careful when removing paint.

Besides safety for yourself also consider environment around with potential hazards that can harm others or damage material you are removing paint from.

• Keep room ventilated at all times
• Plan exit route in case of fire
• Inspect heat gun before use
• Do not use heat gun on flammable material
• Never touch the nozzle or put it face down
• Clean heat gun and avoid blockage of nozzle
• Do not play with it or point at people
• Allow it to cool down before packaging

This simple tool can cause harm and many home owners do report injuries while using heat gun first time. It all happens due to underestimating danger and not following simple precautions.

Best Surfaces to Use Heat Gun On

Removing paint with heat gun recommended only for hand full of material types. They are hard and strong materials that do not ignite easily with provided heat.

Amongst them is wood as an exception. Wooden materials need extra careful work and usually take longer to remove paint.

Consider all possibilities of material change under heat such as breaking, cracking, igniting or melting.

Try other methods of paint removal for hardwood floor, glass, carpet, clothes and rubber materials.

Here is short list of materials we recommend to remove paint from with heat gun:

• Natural & Veneer Stone
• Wooden Materials
• Metal
• Concrete Surface
• Most Types of Bricks

Drywall ceilings and walls can also be worked at with heat gun. It is not typical because it would require a lot of time for such project and it is not practical.