Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Lead paint removal
LuckyLuke
Hi all,
I have a "blanket chest" that I inherited from my grandmother. Over the years it was painted, most probably with lead paint. I'd like to return this chest to its original status without exposing anyone to the lead contamination. Is there a method/recipe to clean the lead off to acceptable numbers?
Thanks!
Avoid sanding
John in NM
Disclaimer - I have no idea, just using common sense.
I would use a chemical jelly stripper like the citrus stuff from Home Depot or the heavy duty stuff like Strip-Eze. The turpenes in citrus strippers are considered to be less hazardous, but again that is conventional wisdom rather than knowledge.
Once down to the wood, avoid sanding if possible, the dust is what would seem to be hazardous. If stripping is reasonably complete, the amount of lead in the dust would probably be minimal, but I would still do it outside with a mask on, and the day before a rainstorm if you can arrange one 
If you're repainting, you probably only need to worry about doing the stripping part.
Re: Lead paint removal
Lee Schierer in McKean, PA
You can check for lead with a simple test kit that is available in most places that sell paint.
If it tests positive for lead you want to avoid contact with your skin and avoid creating any dust. The removed paint must be disposed of properly.
Lee
Re: Lead paint removal
Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
There is more fretting over lead in paint than is justified by experience. Don't eat the paint. That has been proven to be harmful.
Strip with your preferred paint stripper. Stick the strippings in the garbage. They will add way less lead to the environment that the tons that were added when lead was in gasoline, or my neighbor who seems to have an unlimited ammunition budget.
Are you going to bare wood? If so sand to bare wood after stripping. Take typical precautions from woodworking dust.
Wish I could get some white lead paint for my house. I would not be having mold problems.
Re: Lead paint removal
David Yoho
I agree with Bill here. It probably wouldn't hurt to test for lead with one of the test kits available. Who knows - you might get lucky and there won't be any.
However, if so, just strip with whatever stripper you like (I favor the nasty stuff) making sure you wear the appropriate protective gear. Put all the old finish and goop and anything else from the piece into plastic bags doubled up. I know there are special disposal facilities for waste like this but it doesn't seem like enough here to warrant it.
Once down to bare wood sand in a ventilated space and wear breathing protection. I use a Festool sander and vacuum that catches almost everything from the sander. That would be the best way to limit the dust from sanding.
Re: Lead paint removal
JL
In addition to all the other suggestions and to reiterate some of them.
First - do a lead test - the kits are inexpensive. No lead = no problem.
Second - use a reasonable stripper - I don't like methylene choride base strippers as they are a bit toxic - but if you use one in a reasonably ventilated space w/ a respirator you should be fine.
Third - if lead is present consider getting a mold/lead paint removal respirator (available at big box stores) or a good quality respirator w/ a particulate filter. Don't use a dust mask.
White lead is a good "opacifier" as well as helping against moisture and mold. Red lead and yellow lead are good pigments - even if they are toxic.
Re: Lead paint removal
William Duffield
And if you hook up the Festool sander to a Festool dust collector, which is equipped with a hepafilter, the sanding dust won't be blown through the filter and around the room. The Festool system was the first certified in the U.S for lead abatement by the EPA RRPregulations.
That's what I use