Eco-Strip

The speedheater and scrapers I purchased get a lot of use. The first time we tried it out we couldn't believe it was true- It really got the paint off! I don't think it's the most efficient way to remove paint from wide flat surfaces or pieces that I can remove and have dipped in a lye tank, but It is great for removing paint from surfaces with profiles or small details (think: window sashes). The scrapers they sell are great, but also necessary. On really old paint, we brush on some linseed oil and leave it for a while before using the heater on it. This helps a lot. There are a few downfalls: (1) The bulbs break easily- in fairness, my speedheater gets a lot of use, and does get dropped occasionally, and so the bulbs do break. (2) It's not "super magic", it does still take a lot of patience to remove the paint, and having to hold the machine in a vertical position (not working on sawhorses) can become tiresome. (3) I know the company says it's safe, but the smell that comes with speedheating the paint doesn't seem like something I want to be breathing, so I wear a respirator. But don't let these little things distract you. Removing paint is never easy or fun, so while this tool is not flawless, it is a necessary tool in the arsenal of anyone trying to remove old paint.