[net.consumers] Another old paint problem

warren@ihwpt.UUCP (warren montgomery) (01/13/86)

Again my apology for a slighly inappropriate message.  I have
several acres (well, actually only 3' by 200', but it's enough) of
peeling eaves, and have found no effective way to get rid of the
rotting crud.  It appears to have been painted 3 times in 25 years,
twice with some unknown paint and once on top with a latex
semi-gloss.  The peeling seems to be mostly inbetween the two
unknown layers.  I have tried several mechanical means at stripping
it, the most effective being a plain old-fashioned scraper.  I have
tried a heat gun, which mainly just turns it into a sticky goo that
is still not easy to take off.  (The heat gun also suffers the
problem that the heat escapes and ruins areas that didn't
necessarily need stripping).  Chemicals are probably out, since they
would get all over the rest of the house, which is in pretty good
shape now.  None of these techniques have let me strip more than a
couple of square feet in an hour of hard work, too hard to continue.
I am running out of ideas, short of calling in the aluminum siding
people to replace it!  Anyone have any suggestions?

-- 

Warren Montgomery,  ihesa!warren

dave@fluke.UUCP (Dave Van Ess) (01/15/86)

> Again my apology for a slighly inappropriate message.  I have
> several acres (well, actually only 3' by 200', but it's enough) of
> peeling eaves, and have found no effective way to get rid of the
> rotting crud.....

> ......I am running out of ideas, short of calling in the aluminum
> siding people to replace it!  Anyone have any suggestions?
> 
> -- 
> 
> Warren Montgomery,  ihesa!warren

You might try useing a pressurized water cleaner. These cleaners are hooked
to your faucet.  They pump the water up to a preassure of 700lb/sq in to 2000
lb/in (depending on the model). It has a nozzle that with a trigger. You just
point and  shoot. I have used a 1500lb/sq in to remove old stain and moss from
my fence. It also is great for cleaning moss from bricks. The 2000lb model
should have no problem removing paint. You can rent one from most any rental
store.  It should cost 50 to 60 dollars for one day. If that is to much money
find a neighbor that needs something cleaned and you can split the cost.

						Good Luck

						Dave Van Ess
						John Fluke Mfg Co
						Everett WA

ps	These cleaners are great for getting rid of wasp nests. There is a
	feeling of power you get when you can wipe out a swarm of angry wasps
	single handed. Go ahead wasps, make my day.
	

pat@leadsv.UUCP (Pat Wimmer) (01/15/86)

I know the dismay you are feeling.  I had a similar problem with the stucco
house.  While you do not have stucco, my experience might help.  The house
needed paint, very badly.  It was peeling because of the use of a paint
popular in the 50s.  It would not support the weight of any more coats of
paint, and was peeling off.  I tried sraping, which didn't work, and finally
rented a water blaster for the weekend (about $100).  It did a super job on
the wood, although I eventually sandblasted the stuccho.  I intend to use
another water blaster on the garage when it gets warmer.

In using a water blaster, as long as you don't do something like point it at
a window, or drench your power lines, it knocks the loose paint off.  If you
work at it, you can even pursuade point to come off which doesn't want to
come.  But, it is LONG, COLD, WET, MUDDY work.  Think about that heat gun
again, before you try this out.

Good luck,

Pat