Stripping Safety (cont’d)
6) Keep a fully charged fire
extinguisher close at hand.
7) Stay alert, watch what you
are doing, and use com-
mon sense.
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING: Hidden areas such
as behind walls, ceilings, floors,
soffit boards, and other panels
may contain flammable liquids
that could be ignited by the hot
air gun when working in these
locations. The ignition of these
materials may not be readily
apparent and could result in
property damage and injury to
persons. Do not use if in doubt
about this hazard. When work-
ing in these locations, keep the
hot air gun moving in a back-
and-forth motion. Lingering or
pausing in one spot could
ignite the panel or the material
behind it.
Paint Stripping
WARNING: Extreme care
should be taken when stripping
paint. The peelings, residue
and vapors of paint may con-
tain lead, which is poisonous.
Any pre-1977 paint may con-
tain lead and paint applied to
homes prior to 1950 is likely to
contain lead. Once deposited
on surfaces, hand to mouth
contact can result in the
ingestion of lead. Exposure to
even low levels of lead can
cause irreversible brain and
nervous system damage;
young and unborn children
are particularly vulnerable.
Before beginning any paint
removal process you should
determine whether the paint
you are removing contains
lead. This can be done by
your local health department
or by a professional who used
a paint analyzer to check the
lead contact of the paint to be
removed. LEAD-BASED
PAINT SHOULD ONLY BE
REMOVED BY A PROFES-
SIONAL AND SHOULD NOT
BE REMOVED USING A
HOT AIR GUN.
Persons removing paint
should follow these guidelines:
1) Move the work piece out-
doors. If this is not possible,
keep the work area well
ventilated. Open the win-
dows and put an exhaust
fan in one of them. Be sure
the fan is moving the air
from inside to outside.
2) Remove or cover any
carpets, rugs, furniture,
clothing, cooking utensils
and air ducts.
3) Place drop cloths in the
work area to catch any
paint chips or peelings.
Wear protective clothing
such as extra work shirts,
overalls and hats.
4) Work in one room at a time.
Furnishings should be
removed or placed in the
center of the room and cov-
ered. Work areas should be
sealed off from the rest of
the dwelling by sealing
doorways with drop cloths.
5) Children, pregnant or
potentially pregnant women
and nursing mothers should
not be present in the work
area until the work is done
and all cleanup is complete.
6) Wear a dust respirator or a
dual filter (dust and fume)
respirator mask which has
been approved by the
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
(OSHA), the National
Institute of Safety and
Health (NIOSH), or the
United States Bureau of
Mines. These masks and
replaceable filters are read-
ily available at major hard-
ware stores. Be sure the
mask fits. Beards and facial
hair may keep masks from
sealing properly. Change
filters often. DISPOSABLE
PAPER MASKS ARE NOT
ADEQUATE.
7) Use caution when operating
the hot air gun. Keep the
hot air gun moving as
excessive heat will generate
fumes which can be inhaled
by the operator.
8) Keep food and drink out of
the work area. Wash
hands, arms and face and
rinse mouth before eating
or drinking. Do not smoke
or chew gum or tobacco in
the work area.
9) Clean up all removed paint
and dust by wet mopping
the floors. Use a wet cloth
to clean all walls, sills and
any other surface where
paint or dust is clinging. DO
NOT SWEEP, DRY DUST
OR VACUUM. Use a high
phosphate detergent or
trisodium phosphate (TSP)
to wash and mop areas.
10) At the end of each work
session put the paint chips
and debris in a double
plastic bag, close it with
tape or twist ties, and
dispose of properly.
6
Typical Applications
(cont’d)
