Whether you are repainting a piece of furniture, kitchen cabinets or an old fence, it’s always a good practice to strip the old paint off first. Applying new paint over old paint may cause a variety of problems, including the chipping, peeling or bubbling of the new paint. Without stripping the paint, the new paint may not cover or adhere as well, causing a lumpy or uneven look. In stripping the old paint off and doing the job right, the new paint should last 5 to 8 years. You can use a number of methods successfully to strip paint properly.
Step One
Lay the Door Flat While You Remove Paint. Lift the door off its hinges with a pry bar and a block of wood that also saves your back. Choose a work area that is well ventilated but protected from weather while you remove lead paint.
Step Two
Detach Hardware before Starting to Remove Lead. Paint Remove all the hardware. It may also require you efforts to remove lead paint so it can be preserved for reinstallation. Beneath, you may see just how many different colors and coats of lead paint have been applied.
Step Three
Remove Paint and Glazing from the Glass. Chip out fractured glazing compound around the glass window to lift it out. Remove lead paint from the glass and preserve the window for reinstallation--especially if waves and imperfections indicate the glass is as old as the door!