--- title: "A Fast, Clean and Safe Way to Remove Lead Paint: Guest Blog" description: Infrared paint removal offers a safer, gentler, and more ecological method to remove lead-based paint and meets RRP requirements for paint removal image: https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15734547-jpg/images/cath_facebk-wr.jpg --- [![Shawn McCadden](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/hub/81069/file-1539748069.jpg)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/) # Welcome to RRPedia Your Interactive Resource for EPA RRP Information ## ![RRPedia logo](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-1549005086-jpg/images/RRPedia_Logosmall_-wr-1.jpg)Looking for accurate information about the EPA RRP rule? RRPedia has been created by Shawn McCadden to help remodelers and others affected by the New EPA Renovation Repair and Painting Rule.  ## Please read *[RRPedia Use and Contribution Information](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/using-and-contributing-to-rrpedia-/) *before using or contributing to RRPedia.   --- # You Can Browse For RRP Topics By Using The Tags List To The Right ## [A Fast, Clean and Safe Way to Remove Lead Paint: Guest Blog](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/bid/56548/A-Fast-Clean-and-Safe-Way-to-Remove-Lead-Paint-Guest-Blog) Posted by [Shawn McCadden](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/author/shawn-mccadden) on Sun, Apr 10, 2011 @ 06:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ## A Fast, Clean and Safe Way to Remove Lead Paint ### ![Catherine Brooks](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15734547-jpg/images/cath_facebk-wr.jpg?width=98&height=139&name=cath_facebk-wr.jpg) ### One Person’s Opinion: Catherine Brooks, MBA is the owner of a small business, [Eco-Strip LLC](http://www.eco-strip.com) since 2003. Previous to starting this second business, she owned a consulting practice and worked for 20 years with small private companies, local and state governments, and OSHA. Her specialties were public health, recycling, and executive training. She comes from the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. There she learned the hard way that moisture can destroy a paint job. She regrets that she power-washed her older home several years ago and SOON will now have to repaint it.     ### A Fast, Clean and Safe Way to Remove Lead Paint Good painters know that surface preparation before repainting is critical for quality and longevity of new paint. They also know that thick paint removal is a pain. Plus, most paint applied before 1978 is lead-based. With the new EPA's RRP rule, dry abrasive methods such as power sanding, power planing, and mechanical scraping without vacuum attachments are prohibited; so is high temperature heat gun usage. These methods create and disperse lead dust, chips, and vapors which are seriously harmful to children and adults. Some contractors are upset with the requirements imposed by RRP, but the US is way behind European countries in regard to lead paint safety.   ![Airborne leaded dust chart](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-16134161-jpg/images/traditional_renovations_create_airborne_leaded_dust-wr.jpg)   In the late 1980s, a safer and more eco-friendly method was developed in Sweden by a historic restoration painter. This method uses mid-range, infrared heat waves to heat both the substrate and the paint at a lower temperature. Therefore, it greatly reduces the hazards of removing lead-based paint in three ways: 1. Metallic lead vaporizes at 1,100°F (the temperature at which high heat guns operate). The mid-range infrared heat waves heat the paint and wood only to 400-600º F. **Dangerous lead fumes are not released. ** 2. Containing lead dust is difficult and costly but critical to prevent operator, building occupants, and the environment from being contaminated. The scraping of the soft paint created by the infrared heat **generates minimum dust; dry scraping, sanding or shaving paint creates lots.** 3. The soft **paint scrapings clump together** and drop onto a plastic sheeting; they are easier to contain and bag up. While pressure washing surfaces may be faster, it leaves water full of paint chips in the work area’s soil, making it difficult to clean up without removing the top soil itself. Use of toxic or non-toxic chemical paint removers leaves messy goo also difficult to contain. ![Dry scraping lead paint](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15746478-jpg/images/dry_hand_scraping-wr.jpg?width=84&height=110&name=dry_hand_scraping-wr.jpg)Another key consideration in paint removal is the impact on wood, especially old, more valuable wood. Chemicals leach out natural resins and leave residue even after rinsing. High heat (1,100ºF) guns force paint pigment back into the wood and risk scorching and igniting wood. Sanding and shaving leave gouge and burn marks if not done skillfully. Pressure washing and new steam paint removal methods often leave irregular surface marks in the wood, drive moisture back into the wood, and create layers of “gray wood” which must be scraped away and or they will threaten the adherence of new paint.  All of these methods can damage wood. Infrared heat paint removal can be the gentlest process on the wood. The infrared heat penetrates into the wood and pulls up natural resins, paint, and moisture deep within and rejuvenates the old wood. Yet, the lower temperature of 400-600° F. minimizes the risk of scorching the wood or catching it on fire. The stories of these heat gun fires are legendary. ![Infrared paint removal ](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/file-15766731-jpg/images/infrared_paint_removal.jpg?width=181&height=135&name=infrared_paint_removal.jpg)The time for the entire surface preparation process is reduced using the infrared heat method. Set up, operation, and cleanup are faster than with other methods. There is no extra time for rinsing, neutralization, drying, or sanding the wood; it is immediately ready for primer. Since there are several brands of infrared paint removers on the market, look for these qualities: - **UL listing** to verify safety testing. - **Shock absorbers** to reduce bulb breakage. - Automatic, **overheat shut-off mechanism** to prevent damage to the machine and the wood and to prevent paint overheating. - Built-in **safety shields** extending beyond the infrared bulbs that set the correct distance between the bulbs and the painted wood. These shields eliminate the operator’s guesswork about what distance is safe yet effective and also reduce overheating. - Comprehensive **instruction materials and training videos** to assure quick operator proficiency, safe operation, and proper maintenance of the machine. Infrared heat for paint removal is a new technology whose time has come. Preservation of older homes rather than demolition is growing. People are choosing to rejuvenate their old homes for aesthetic, historic, and ecological reasons. Infrared paint removal offers a safer, gentler, and more ecological method to remove lead-based paint and bringing old wood back to life. Contact: Catherine Brooks, Eco-Strip LLC with questions at cbrooks@eco-strip.com. Further information is at [www.eco-strip.com](http://www.eco-strip.com/) Topics: [Technology for Remodelers](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/topic/technology-for-remodelers), [Guest Blogs](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/topic/guest-blogs), [Compliance Options](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/topic/compliance-options), [Work Practices](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/topic/work-practices), [Work Practice Exclusions](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/topic/work-practice-exclusions), [Tools and Supplies](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/topic/tools-and-supplies) [![cs-ye-234x16](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/hs-fs/hub/81069/file-1553381212.gif)](http://www.copyscape.com/duplicate-content/) ### Subscribe to RRPedia by Email and get notified about new postings as soon as they happen! ### Are You Documenting Yor Crew's Compliance With The RRP Rule?  [![download free RRP checklist](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/81069/dd6aace9-6cb0-4ad2-a55a-09846d7f5b5e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/81069/dd6aace9-6cb0-4ad2-a55a-09846d7f5b5e) ### Still Using a Yellow Pad for Your Estimating? 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[Worker Training (15)](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/topic/worker-training) ### I just wanted to say thank you for your efforts to keep us informed.  *"Thank you again for the hundreth time for keeping a vigil on this business nightmare. Your site is one of the best resources we have to stay on level ground"*  **Christian Peter**   *"I am quite impressed with all the confusion out there at Shawn McCadden’s clear and concise voice that continues to help contractors and those involved in this industry truly understand the rule. His efforts should be applauded."*  **Christopher Wagner, LBPFiles**   *"RRPedia is an accurate and contractor friendly interpretation of the very complex and confusing EPA RRP rule"* * * *"Thanks for taking the time to write the blog.  It's about the only place one can go to get some serious info on this dreadful subject"*   *"I would like to begin by thanking Shawn for all of his postings and education that he has been sharing with the remodeling industry. He has personally been extremely helpful in guiding me through various interpretations of the RRP rule, his advice and knowledge are priceless."* **Michael A. Mahoney*** * ### Suggest or Contribute a RRPedia Topic ### Want a Simple Summary of the EPA RRP? #### Shawn McCadden has created an EPA RRP Summary for Remodelers. *"Hi Shawn, **Nice RRP write up on the website.   I've already forwarded a link to it to a number of local builder types."*   #### [Click here to go to the summary.](https://www.shawnmccadden.com/epa-rrp-summary-for-remodelers-by-shawn-mccadden/)  You can also download it if you want your own copy. ### Add this widget to your Web page, blog, or social networking site. A widget is a CDC.gov application that displays the featured content directly on your web page. Click the buttons to see the next tip to prevent lead poisoning.