I've got these old wooden windows that have seen better days, paint peeling and all that jazz. I'm debating between using a chemical paint stripper or just going at it with sandpaper. I've heard the stripper can be messy and smelly, but sanding seems like it'll take forever and might damage the wood if I'm not careful. Anyone tried both methods? Curious which one worked better for you and why.
"I've heard the stripper can be messy and smelly, but sanding seems like it'll take forever and might damage the wood if I'm not careful."
Yeah, you're spot on about the messiness of chemical strippers. I restored some old sash windows last summer, and honestly, the chemical route was a bit of a nightmare. Even with gloves and masks, that stuff stinks and gets everywhere—dripped onto my shoes, ruined a pair of jeans... you get the idea. On the flip side though, it did lift off multiple layers of paint pretty quickly.
Sanding isn't exactly a picnic either. Did that on another window frame, and it took ages. Plus, if you're not careful, you can easily gouge or flatten out details in the woodwork. But if you're patient and use finer grit paper as you go, it's manageable.
If I had to pick again, I'd probably use a heat gun to soften the paint first, then scrape gently before finishing with a light sanding. Less mess than chemicals and quicker than sanding alone. Just my two cents from trial-and-error experience...
I agree, heat guns are underrated. I've seen a lot of homeowners shy away from them, worried they'll scorch the wood or crack the glass, but honestly, if you keep it moving and don't linger in one spot, they're pretty safe. The chemical strippers do work fast, but as you said:
"Even with gloves and masks, that stuff stinks and gets everywhere—dripped onto my shoes, ruined a pair of jeans..."
Exactly my experience too. Plus, disposal of the leftover gunk is another headache nobody mentions. Heat gun and careful scraping followed by gentle sanding is definitely my go-to method now.