{"id":94923,"date":"2025-11-28T21:41:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T21:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eco-strip.com\/?p=94923"},"modified":"2025-11-28T21:41:42","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T21:41:42","slug":"infrared-vs-sanding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eco-strip.com\/en_au\/infrared-vs-sanding\/","title":{"rendered":"Infrared Paint Removal vs. Sanding: Which Is Best for Wood?"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n
\n\t
\n\t\t

When you own an old home, or restore them for a living, paint removal becomes a familiar (and sometimes dreaded) part of the job. From thick, alligatored exterior paint to detailed interior trim loaded with 100+ years of layers, choosing how<\/em> you remove old coatings makes all the difference. Two of the most common approaches are infrared paint removal<\/strong> and sanding<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n
\n
\n
\n \"\"\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>
\n
\n
\n
\n \"\"\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n
\n\t
\n\t\t

But the reality is: these two methods couldn\u2019t be more different in terms of speed, safety, results, and the long-term impact on your home.\u00a0This guide breaks down the differences so you can choose the method that\u2019s safest for you, your family, and your historic woodwork.<\/p>\n

Note: Any paint stripping method used on pre-1978 paint should follow EPA Lead-Safe Work Practices. Infrared greatly reduces risk, but does not eliminate the need for proper precautions.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n
\n\t
\n\t\t

What Is Infrared Paint Removal?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Infrared (IR) paint removal, pioneered by the Speedheater\u2122 system, uses a very specific wavelength of infrared heat to warm paint just enough<\/strong> to release it cleanly from the wood. Paint softens in seconds and scrapes off in large, manageable strips.<\/p>\n

What makes infrared heat different is its low, controlled operating temperature<\/strong>. Speedheater\u2122 Infrared systems heat paint to approximately 400-600\u00b0F depending on the tool, well below the higher temperatures (roughly 750-1,000\u00b0F) where lead in paint can start to fume. This greatly reduces the risk of lead fumes compared with high-heat guns.<\/p>\n

The Infrared method is safe, gentle, and highly effective on thick layers. It is a fast method of paint stripping<\/strong>, and the thicker the paint, the easier it releases.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t
<\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n
\n\t
\n\t\t

What About Sanding?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sanding removes paint by abrasion – physically grinding off the coating using sandpaper or power sanders. Though common, sanding presents serious challenges on old homes:<\/p>\n