We love sharing the real-life restoration stories of homeowners and professionals who are keeping craftsmanship and history alive – one layer at a time. Each journey reflects the same passion that drives Eco-Strip: restoring, preserving, and protecting what’s worth saving. These stories also highlight the importance of doing it safely, especially when lead paint is involved. From individual DIYers to professional restorations and community initiatives, you’ll see how the right knowledge and tools make restoration both rewarding and responsible.
(Photo Credit: Darren Cotton)
24+ Layers Gone - The Tools Behind a Landmark Restoration
Ever faced a restoration project with decades of paint build-up? You know the struggle: toxic fumes, endless scraping, and the constant fear of damaging precious wood.
But what if you could strip even 24+ layers of paint safely, efficiently, and without harsh chemicals?
Meet Fifty Three Restorations, specialists in the restoration of architectural woodwork. They recently tackled a massive project at The Colony Club in Manhattan, facing over two dozen layers of old paint. Below, they describe their project in their own words.
“The Colony Club, New York City, NY
Fifty Three Restorations brings innovation to wood restoration! Old dogs using new tricks. Check out this work in progress at The Colony Club in Manhattan.
We’re tackling a fun project—over 24 layers of paint accumulated since the last restorations but we’re doing it smart.
Instead of harsh chemicals or fiery heat guns, we’re using the Speedheater™ Cobra from Eco-Strip, which gently removes decades-old paint using infrared light.
Infrared heats from within the paint, softening multiple layers in 1–3 seconds, allowing us to scrape safely clean without damaging the wood or risking toxic fumes—even from old lead-based paint.
The result: A smooth surface, ready for sanding, priming, and repainting—all without chemicals, dust or delay.
Cutting-edge tech meets craftsmanship. This project shows how we’re restoring heritage wood surfaces with speed, safety, and environmental responsibility.
The crew will continue to work on removing layers of paint and giving the client a pristine front opening!”
Follow the restoration projects of Fifty Three Restorations on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iconicnewyorkbuildings
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/53restorations/
Fifty Three Restorations restoring with Speedheater™ tools at The Colony Club
One Farmhouse, Two DIYers, and a Game-Changing Tool
We were pleased to hear from Blake Beck, who with her husband, is restoring an 1850 New England farmhouse in New Hampshire. Here are Blake’s words about how they are both using the Speedheater Cobra on different projects in their restoration.
“I first learned about the Speedheater through the Old House community on Instagram. Like a lot of people, my husband and I started out using chemical strippers on our old house projects. I finally reached a point where I was tired of throwing money at jug after jug of chemical stripper, the length of time wasted waiting for the stripper to do it’s job, and the horrible mess to clean up afterwards.
I was able to convince my husband to make the investment in the Eco Strip Speedheater Cobra. It was worth every penny. My husband and I have to take turns using it. He uses it on the outside of the house as he tackles a section of original siding at a time that have really difficult layers of old paint to remove. While I work on projects inside like removing the layers of paint off of door trims, baseboards, and our hidden servant stairs.
Projects go so much more smoothly, results are instant, and my favorite part is how easy the clean up is. It’s very user friendly. Just be sure to always pay attention when handling it and follow the safety instructions. You will be more eager to tackle old house paint projects when you have the Eco Strip Speedheater Cobra.”
Click here to see Blake’s restoration on Instagram
Blake and her husband restoring their farmhouse with the Speedheater™ Cobra
Meet the "Lead Safe Tool" Transforming Renovations
Darren Cotton knows old homes. As the owner of a 100-year-old Craftsman Bungalow and Founder of The Tool Library in Buffalo, NY, he’s passionate about community restoration – and about tools that make the work safer and easier.
That’s why his team calls the Speedheater™ Cobra a “Super Tool”.
“The Speedheater Cobra has become an indispensable addition to our arsenal of communally accessible tools,” Darren shares. “I’ve used it on multiple home renovation projects, including stripping woodwork and restoring my original, double-hung wood sash windows.”
The Tool Library doesn’t just stock any tool… only those that get results. And the Speedheater™ Cobra delivers.
What makes it special? How it fits into their Lead Safe Tool Borrowing Program:
“It provides individuals with the tools and supplies they need to safely and affordably address lead-based paint hazards in their homes.”
Follow the work of The Tool Library in Buffalo – website
Wood stripping with the Speedheater™ Cobra at Darren Cotton’s renovation
Your restoration journey
We’d love to hear your renovation experiences using Speedheater tools! Share your story with us via our contact form at this link.
Introducing the Speedheater™ Cobra
The Speedheater™ Cobra is the FASTEST infrared paint remover on the market. The Cobra is the perfect tool for DIY homeowners stripping doors, windows, spindles, tight spaces, furniture, and more. With its 20-year-tested infrared technology and with INCREDIBLE SPEED the new Cobra strips paint, varnish, and adhesives.
For more information, and to purchase the Speedheater™ Cobra, visit:
https://eco-strip.com/product/speedheater-cobra/
