Painting an old home

[ny biker]

I don't need to have it tested. The odds that they used lead paint back in the '70s are quite high. Last year I spoke to a contractor who does a lot of work in my neighborhood and he said they don't test, they just assume there's lead paint involved.

The only way I would do this myself would be to use the Soy-Gel.

http://www.franmar.com/paint-removal...-urethane.html

"Soy Gel encapsulates the surface of your furniture or floors in its thick gel, preventing lead or other hazardous particles from escaping into the air."

[laura*]

I don't need to have it tested. The odds that they used lead paint back in the '70s are quite high. Last year I spoke to a contractor who does a lot of work in my neighborhood and he said they don't test, they just assume there's lead paint involved.

I wouldn't be that pessimistic about the odds!

The house I did most of my growing up in was built in 1973. (It has long since been sold on to other owners.) I'd say that the odds of that house having any lead paint are exceedingly low: All interior trim, doors, windows, and etc. were stained. Even the outside siding was stained. The only painted surfaces were the interior walls (in standard flat white) and garage doors.

If your condo was fully renovated, perhaps they followed similar design rules where no interior trim was painted. Remember, the '70's were still in the "back to earthy natural things" era where visible wood grain was desirable.

On the other hand, you imply the trim is from the '70's. It is probably not worth saving. I'm with jyyanks in suggesting that you replace it instead of trying to strip it. But as withm said, even removal/replacement will still disturb lead paint if any is present.