The Silent Paint Remover
Safe, Quiet, Effective Infrared Paint Removal Technology for Wood Substrates
Benefits of Infrared Paint Removing Technology
Top 5 Reasons to Use Infrared:
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- Safer operating temperature than a heat gun.
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The tool operates at 450-550 degrees, only heating the painted surface to approximately 350 degrees to soften old coatings. This is in contrast to the average operating temperature of 1100 degrees for a heat gun.
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Subsequently much lower risk of fire.
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Operating temperature is well below the
700+ degrees required for harmful lead fumes to vaporize.
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- Creates easy to dispose of debris.
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Unlike the fine particles created by sanding, The Silent Paint Remover™ models will create much larger paint debris for easy collection and disposal.
Apply Viking Purified Linseed Oil to reconstitute old, dry paint and increase infrared efficiency, as well as bind potential dust or small particles in the process.
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- Dries out moisture in wood surfaces.
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Avoid introducing moisture into wood, especially window sashes that can warp when exposed to steam or similar techniques. Instead, infrared will dry out any existing moisture, prepping the surface for painting.
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- Little to no sanding required.
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Avoid sanding, especially when lead paint may be present. Once the paint is removed with a sharp pull-scraper, the wood surface is relatively smooth. If necessary, gently hand-sand before painting and collect any dust responsibly. Possible to paint immediately!
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- Chemical-free and solvent-free technique.
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Chemical or solvent based strippers can become absorbed into the porous wood surface, leaving a residue that can leech out over time.
Avoid introducing such products in order to maintain integrity and longevity of wood material, ensure compatibility and adhesion of paints/coatings, as well as for personal health and environmental reasons.
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​​The Silent Paint Remover™ system is a safer and more environmentally-friendly tool for removing and disposing of paint, especially when lead paint is present.
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Infrared technology works by heating the wood substrate beneath the paint, not just the surface like a heat gun, effectively breaking the bond between most coatings and a wood surface. This allows for relatively easy paint removal or stripping with a sharp scraper.​
To ensure that infrared is the best fit for your project, do a test to find out if the coating you want to remove is sensitive to heat before purchasing a tool. Do a test with a less efficient heat-gun with a temperature-gauge (for your safety) before moving forward.
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While most coatings are responsive to heat, some like shellac, select epoxy formulations, milk paint, etc. are not and another paint removal method will be required.
Infrared Tips & Tricks
​​To get the best results from your infrared tool be sure to keep your scraper blades sharp while you work – this is an important aspect to be as efficient as possible during the paint removal process. A dull scraper slows your work down considerably.
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Be sure to let the unit rest from time to time, allowing the heat to escape (not flat on a surface such as a table or on the ground but with the bulbs reflected outwards) as this is the number one reason for tool damage and can be easily avoided.
Shield any surfaces you do not want to heat with aluminum tape or aluminum foil. A piece of cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil can be very helpful to protect glass, etc. Only the Putty Lamp does not require the shielding of glass.
Finally, if you have some stubborn dry paint, consider applying on some Purified Linseed Oil the night before paint removal as this will help reconstitute the old coating for easier removal, as well as to bind the dust for quicker disposal.
Usually, the more layers of paint the faster the infrared works.
Dampen and dispose of oil-soaked rags to avoid a fire hazard.
It is always advisable to wear proper safety gear, including a respirator. Dampen and dispose of debris as directed by your local community waste management location.
If you have questions always feel free to reach out: info@earthandflax.com.
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