An infrared paint stripper works by using infrared radiation to heat up the surface and soften the paint. Infrared radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to the naked eye and has longer wavelengths than visible light.
The infrared paint stripper consists of a heating element made of ceramic or quartz that emits infrared radiation when it is heated. The heating element is positioned close to the surface that needs to be stripped of paint, and the infrared radiation penetrates the paint layer and heats it up.
As the paint is heated, it softens and becomes more pliable, making it easier to scrape or peel off. The paint stripper may also include a scraper attachment or other tool for removing the softened paint.
Infrared paint strippers are considered to be safer and more environmentally friendly than traditional chemical paint strippers, which can release harmful fumes and require careful handling. They are also effective on a wide range of surfaces, including wood, metal, and masonry.
Not all paint scrapers are created equal. Cost, quality, and effectiveness vary. The technology advancements in the home improvement and home services industry is advancing every day!
Our scrapers are pull type. Most people use putty and drywall knives to push paint off. Pushing is less effective than pulling heated, soft paint. Speedheater™ scrapers have ergonomic, easy-grip and long handles that allow you to use both hands and apply more even and wider pressure on resistant paint.
Our scraper blades are made of steel that is harder and thicker than most lighter, more flexible metal scrapers. The Speedheater™ blade steel is “spring steel” which resists chipping and bending when it hits hard objects like nails. Our blades have very sharp, beveled edges. These blade edges quickly, evenly and thoroughly strip away paint down to the bare wood in just a few strokes. They also prevent damage to wood which duller, uneven blades might do. Speedheater™ scrapers blades have different edge profiles: convex and concave curves; and wide and narrow straight edges. Selecting the scraper with the blade edges which match the flat or curved surfaces you are stripping is key to efficient and effective scraping.
The Speedheater™ method of using infrared to soften the coating and matching the right Speedheater™ scraper make the job of stripping paint or varnish easy. No matter if a surface is flat like exterior siding or curved like interior doors, baseboards, or intricately carved wood, this method cleanly, safely, and efficiently gets a thickly-painted surface immediately ready for new paint.
Using the Speedheater™ Infrared Paint Remover is the gentlest method for stripping wood. Excess moisture is drawn out of the wood. Mold and mildew spores and algae are killed. The natural resins deep in the wood are brought to the surface. This rejuvenates the dry wood, creates a porous substrate for the new primer to grip onto and thus extends the adherence and life of the new paint. In addition, infrared heat opens the grain of the wood much more effectively and without damaging the wood. With our sharp, pull-type scrapers, the wood is scraped cleanly but with sufficient tooth for strong, new paint adhesion. With wet stripping methods, there is chemical residue, neutralizer, or water remaining in the wood to potentially cause the paint to fail later. With sanding, dry scraping, or paint shaving, the wood surface can be marred.
You can do a simple test to see how well the grain of the wood opens and becomes porous using different paint stripping methods. On one painted board, heat and remove the paint in one section with the Speedheater™ Infrared (IR) Paint Remover. On different sections, use other methods. Then pour a small amount of water on each method’s section. On the section of bare wood stripped with infrared rays, the water instantly gets absorbed into the wood. On the sections stripped using other methods, the grain is not opened sufficiently to allow the water to be absorbed as much or not at all.
Whether you have a beach home or live in suburbia, paint can be removed with infrared at any time of the year, including winter. However, if the ambient air temperature around the work area is below 50℉, the heating time will greatly increase. The wood is much colder at the start. In addition, the cold air quickly cools down the heated paint and makes it re-adhere and harden again. It will me more effective and efficient to find a heated facility or to wait until warmer weather. Windy conditions can reduce the effectiveness of the Speedheater™. Wind may blow away the infrared rays which need to stay pointed directly at the painted surface to be most effective. Protecting a work area from wind prevents this.