Have a fire extinguisher on hand in case of an unlikely emergency while stripping paint.
The term "stripping," in painting and finishing parlance, refers to total paint removal. When performed incorrectly, the paint stripping process is tedious and difficult. When performed using the right techniques, paint stripping is relatively easy and straightforward. If you plan to strip paint from a steel storm door, you're in a good position for success, as steel is highly suited for aggressive removal methods. Before you roll up your sleeves and start scraping, learn the most efficient way to loosen the old paint or you may end up frustrated and exhausted.
Instructions
1. Unscrew the storm door from its hinges and take it outdoors. Place the door on a canvas drop cloth in a shady area.
2. Pour a half-gallon of solvent-based paint stripper into a plastic painter's pot. Apply stripper to the storm door, using a china brush. Immediately lay a plastic drop cloth over the top of the door.
3. Wait 10 minutes, then remove the plastic.
4. Scrape off the paint, using a molding scraper and metallic putty knife.
5. Remove remaining paint residue using a nylon scrub pad dampened with mineral spirits. Let the door dry for one hour before hanging it back up on the hinges.
Tags: drop cloth, paint stripping, storm door, When performed
