Preferred Method of Paint Removal

nerdygrrl

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I am about to re-finish my third cabinet. During my first two strip downs I used the tried and true method of sanding until my arms and hands went numb. I was wondering if anyone else out there had another method they liked. Heat gun perhaps?
 
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Something like this can be the best 20 bucks you ever spent.

Harbor freight special
 
Paint stripper, preferably a citrus based stripper. Sanding is for after the bulk of the paint is removed. I've seen and heard of guys SANDING through 3-5 layers of paint and I always think to myself, WTF? Why? Stripper takes it off the right way.
 
Only thing with paint strippers - sometimes the nasty stuff can get into crevices or cracks in the wood and spoil the finish later. Gotta make sure you get it all out or neutralize the stuff. I used stripper on a couple of projects, then decided I like just using a sander better. Though more crap is airborne, I don't have to worry about the goopy mess.

Gotta make sure you use quality paper, like the 3M gator stuff, and start with 80 grit. If you start with the wrong grit, it will take forever. Usually the original finishes were pretty thin. I don't know that that applies to the Berzerk cabinet though-
 
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