Stripping paint from old industrial cabinet drawers

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Stripping paint from old industrial cabinet drawers

Posted: 3/13/2017 10:45:25 PM EDT

I just bought an old 27 drawer cabinet used for years by a local machinist.

After I took the drawers out I realized that all the paint on the inside is badly peeling. (looks like a different kind of paint than on the outside)

Beyond brushing with a stiff brush, what would be the best way to remove this paint? Should I remove it all? It's a shiny stainless (looking) underneath.

Thanks!

Posted: 3/13/2017 10:57:23 PM EDT

[#1]

Looks like aluminum to me. Some paints just won't stick well. A strong chemical stripper will turn the metal dark and dull. Are you planning on reprinting or leaving bare metal?

Posted: 3/13/2017 10:58:34 PM EDT

[#2]

Quote History

Quoted:
Looks like aluminum to me. Some paints just won't stick well. A strong chemical stripper will turn the metal dark and dull. Are you planning on reprinting or leaving bare metal?

View Quote

Thanks! Could be aluminum.

Probably won't repaint.
Just want to get the drawers to stop getting flakes of paint everywhere

Might just keep brushing it with a hard brush

Posted: 3/14/2017 10:19:12 AM EDT

[#3]

heat gun?
Old paint could has some bad stuff in it...I'll let an expert give you tips on that.

Posted: 3/14/2017 11:41:42 AM EDT

[#4]

Throw them down the driveway a few times

You could look into a wire wheel for a dremel/drill/grinder. You could also media blast them or have someone do it for you.

Posted: 3/14/2017 11:57:00 AM EDT

[#5]

Wire wheel in an electric drill.

A 'cup' style wheel works well.

Posted: 3/14/2017 12:17:24 PM EDT

[#6]

Local auto paint supplier should have Clean Strip Aircraft Remover. Will blow the paint off. Rinse well. If you choose to repaint, AlumiPrep clean etching solution and Alodine conversion coating. Will prep it so paint will stick tight.

Posted: 3/14/2017 1:22:00 PM EDT

[#7]

Aircraft paint remover. Walmart sells it by the bondo/engine paints area, not with the regular paint.

The spray can is like $10 but works very well and won't do anything to the aluminum. Wear gloves and long sleeve shirt and glasses it burns pretty good if even a paint speck gets on your skin.

Posted: 3/14/2017 2:17:08 PM EDT

[#8]

Thanks guys!
Will the aircraft paint stripper leave anything harmful after it's applied?
This cabinet will be inside my apartment.
Thanks again

Posted: 3/15/2017 8:34:11 AM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks guys!
Will the aircraft paint stripper leave anything harmful after it's applied?
This cabinet will be inside my apartment.
Thanks again

View Quote

When we were using it in the body shop we would wipe down with lacquer thinner afterwards to neutralize. We then followed up with soap and water.
Any abrasive removal method is going to leave marks in the finish. Might make the aluminum look like ass afterwards. Now a DA sanded finish has a pleasant appearance to it.

Posted: 3/16/2017 3:38:21 PM EDT

[#10]

The more I think about it that could be lead paint.

At least wear a decent mask if you use power tools to remove it.

And outside in a spot you do not care if it becomes contaminated.

Posted: 3/16/2017 8:41:55 PM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
The more I think about it that could be lead paint.

At least wear a decent mask if you use power tools to remove it.

And outside in a spot you do not care if it becomes contaminated.

View Quote

Home lead tests are cheap. Like $10 for a 3 pack at the hardware store.
Scratch Paint, Break capsule in tester, dab on scratched paint, look for pink, if it turns pink you have lead.

If you have lead, ideally just leave it, and if you do choose to strip it use chemical stripper and contain the chips and stripped paint.
Depending on your area homeowners are generally able to dispose of stuff like this in normal trash.

If you have lead DO NOT use mechanical means to strip it. Wear gloves, don't let the chemical stripper burn your skin, wash your hands, wash your clothes separately.

Posted: 3/18/2017 2:10:26 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
Home lead tests are cheap. Like $10 for a 3 pack at the hardware store.
Scratch Paint, Break capsule in tester, dab on scratched paint, look for pink, if it turns pink you have lead.

If you have lead, ideally just leave it, and if you do choose to strip it use chemical stripper and contain the chips and stripped paint.
Depending on your area homeowners are generally able to dispose of stuff like this in normal trash.

If you have lead DO NOT use mechanical means to strip it. Wear gloves, don't let the chemical stripper burn your skin, wash your hands, wash your clothes separately.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
The more I think about it that could be lead paint.

At least wear a decent mask if you use power tools to remove it.

And outside in a spot you do not care if it becomes contaminated.

Home lead tests are cheap. Like $10 for a 3 pack at the hardware store.
Scratch Paint, Break capsule in tester, dab on scratched paint, look for pink, if it turns pink you have lead.

If you have lead, ideally just leave it, and if you do choose to strip it use chemical stripper and contain the chips and stripped paint.
Depending on your area homeowners are generally able to dispose of stuff like this in normal trash.

If you have lead DO NOT use mechanical means to strip it. Wear gloves, don't let the chemical stripper burn your skin, wash your hands, wash your clothes separately.

The problem they can have is with multiple layers of paint.

You have to make sure enough of each layer is exposed to get a reaction.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Stripping paint from old industrial cabinet drawers

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