DIY Home Repair Question

[Montana Jim]

Hello all you Do It Yourselfers... and professionals too...

I am reworking and patching and fixing the plaster walls in my 1940 built house.

In the course of that work I need to clean a zilion layers of old paint from some wall registers. They are layered in paint but otherwise fine. So far I have spend literally "hours" at a bead blaster trying to clean one and it looks great except for some hard to reach places in the vent slots. I would replace them all with new ones but am finding it hard to find what I want in the right size.

Anway... is there a solution I can soak them in?

Thanks in advance for any help...

 

[DigginThePast]

Jim - Check out this link, about halfway down you'll see a link for paint strippers. This magazine/site is an invaluable source for those of us trying to maintain old homes. Also, be careful of dust or vapors when working with that old (lead) paint and/or chemicals. Mike.

http://www.oldhousejournal.com/restoration_directory/by_category/?section=130000

 

[Montana Jim]

Mike... thanks.

I'm aware of the lead issue and I've been carefull of the paint dust, wearing a mask while sanding - most the time.

I'll check out the link... thanks!

 

[Cynangyl]

Sweeeet! love that link! Thanks Diggin!

Hey Zesty.....where are the pics? We wanna see before and after pics!

 

[Montana Jim]

Jim
What size are these thing that you can't find replacements?
Don

I can find the right size, just nothing that appeals to me in that size. I figured I'd use the originals as that's always the best policy - IMO.

Since I have more "time" than "money", cleaning the originals seamed the way to go.

I might, by the end of the project, consider new ones and have been looking at many right along. Once I compare the cost of cleaning or stripping solutions and maybe a new paint for them I might have just bought new ones for 20 bucks a piece... LOL

 

[Montana Jim]

Sweeeet! love that link! Thanks Diggin!

Hey Zesty.....where are the pics? We wanna see before and after pics!

I have tons of taken pics... when the project is complete I'll post some maybe...

 

[Copperhead]

Electrolysis?...

 

[Montana Jim]

Electrolysis?...

On paint?

 

[Copperhead]

Maybe?..

http://users.eastlink.ca/~pspencer/nsaeta/electrolysis.html

 

[GPURS]

Jim, hopefully "Rmptr" will chime in sometime soon on your topic. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in such matters as yours. He has helped me a great deal in the past. He's better than most of those Home Depot guys walking around .. Good luck, Gpurs..

 

[smurf-42]

To get the paint off of our register vents, my hubby took them to the radiator shop and had them put in a tank with chemicals.

My hubby also said that brake fluid would work but you have to know how to clean the register vents to prep them to repaint.

Sue

 

[Blacksheep]

I had a similar issue and was lucky in that all the layers of paint was latex based, I soaked them in hot water, peeled the loose paint and started over until they were clean.

 

[bbqbull]

Brake cleaner will take paint/grease and oil off anything.

Thats what we spray on new brake drums and rotors to get off the anti rust oil before we install them.

Carburator cleaner will remove old dried gas/oil stains off anything also.

 

[olegoat]

if push comes to shove- get the flaming wrench, that'll get the little dab that is left in the corners, just dont burn them up

 

[Montana Jim]

if push comes to shove- get the flaming wrench, that'll get the little dab that is left in the corners, just dont burn them up

The propane wrench... good call!

 

[Zephyr]

I haunt a painting board for miniatures, and the subject of paint stripping comes up quite regularly.
Some people swear by soaking it in Simple Green for a day or two to strip the paint off. Not sure how well it works, as I've never tried it myself....

 

[rmptr]

Just found you here, Jim.

Well, if the registers are some style you love architecturally, it's good to refurbish them.
(Registers are actually pretty cheap from a full service HVAC shop which can order any odd size you may need.)

I think I would let them set, 1 at a time in a thrift store baking pan, soaking in lacquer thinner.
Cover the pan so you don't evaporate too much away.
After a day's soak almost any paint will soften unless it's an epoxy.
Then wire brush it off easily, or pressure wash. Car wash will work if you don't have one.

If that doesn't work well or fast enough, get some marine paint stripper from a local paint store.
Then wire brush or pressure wash after it softens.

Wear goggles. a cheapo pair will do.
Flush yourself off well with plenty of water.

Any method that causes dust is bad!
You don't want my lungs!

You will need metallic primer if stripped all the way down to the white...

Or, a DTM paint from a real paint store... (Direct to metal)

Jingle me if you need more help.

Best
rmptr

 

[Montana Jim]

Thanks rmptr...

I have to tell you all...

I've been looking close at the dang vents and remembering the hastle of cleaning the last one I tried. I went and bought a el-cheap-o wall vent and put it up - I like it enough that I decided this as the way to go.

I am under no illusions that my house needs to maintain any "historical integrity" - LMAO!

It's seen a bunch of owners and for a long time was rented - the last owner did some work like 10 years ago and while it looked great she only covered the serious problems - most of which I handled (I hope).

I appreciate ALL the replies and hope this post helps some other folks too...

I'm buying new ones - it's worth the saving's in supplies and time.

 

[rmptr]

IMO, you are making the right choice.
Remove all of them, drop them in a box so THEY can measure them, start calling HVAC places to find the local supplier who will sell to you.


Best
rmptr