Paint Scraper Tools And How To Use Them At Home
A paint scraper is an essential household tool. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that every home has a paint scraper. And although the tools are popular, you may not know the best way to use them.
With the variety of paint scrapers available, choosing the right one can be a challenge. Here, we’ll show you the best paint scrapers and how they work.
While we look at paint scraping tools, we’ll also provide you with guidance on how to use them. Before we do that, let’s review a few paint scraping essential and paint removal techniques.
What Is A Paint Scraper?
A paint scraper is a flat or curved tool with a handle. You should hold the scraper at a 90-degree angle while using it.
Wire Brush
You can use the wire brush by brushing the surface parallel to the edge of brushing it. Doing it this way, the paint will come off. Brush in the direction that the paint seems to be peeling off. If it doesn’t get all the paint off, use a manual paint scraper.
Manual Paint Scraper
This is the old-fashioned way of peeling off paint. It’s also very reliable. You will run the scraper over the area where the paint needs to be peeled off. Then with the blunt tool, you’ll start scraping the paint off.
If the paint has a raised edge, you’ll want to use the sharper blade to make sure the paint comes off. After that, you’re done, and wash our scraper to prevent rust.
Heat Gun
This is a newer way of removing paint. For this, you’ll want to use both your manual (blunt) scraper and your heat gun to start peeling off the paint. First, you’ll heat the paint area for about 20 seconds, and then you’ll start using your scraper to peel off the paint.
You’ll want to press it forward until the paint starts coming off. After that is done, you clean your scraper and turn off your heat gun.
Best Paint Scraper Tools For 2022
Handpicked by our team of DIY experts, here are the best paint scrapers on the market today.
Bates Paint Scraper
The Bates tool has a rigid carbon steel blade. You can remove loose paint and it has a soft grip, which makes it comfortable to use. It comes with a lifetime warranty, so you know the quality is superior.
Pros
- Easy grip handle
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Thin plastic handle
Bates – Taping Knife
If you need a tool that also includes a putty knife, you’ll enjoy the Bates Scraper 5 in 1 tool.
Pros
- Uneven surfaces
- Versatile
Cons
- Some have noted that it’s flimsy
Putty Knife Scrapers
The DEKEones scraper is a putty knife/spackle knife that can come very much in handy because it’s made out of stainless steel material. The scraper is a flat edge blade and it’s flexible. It features a comfortable ergonomic handle for easy handling and comfort. If you want just one tool, you can purchase the four-inch one.
Pros
- Rustproof
- Ergonomic handle
Cons
- Do not use without gloves
Red Devil 3160
The Red Devil Scraper Four Edge is a tool your home should have. It has a contoured handle and a larger gripper knob for easier handling. It can scrape any surface without any gouging, and it can be used indoors or outdoors. The blade is made from carbon steel and a heavy-duty polythene handle. It’s a great tool that is made for tough paint scraping jobs.
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to hold
Cons
- Doesn’t work well with all surfaces
Bahco Ergonomic Scraper
The Bahco scraper is a 2.5-inch tool made out of high-quality steel. It has carbide blades that can remove paint, glue, varnish, and others. This tool has a 451, 65 mm double-edged straight blade.
The ergonomic carbide scraper is made for large paint scraping projects. It’s ideal for bigger paint material removal when extra strength is required. The long-lasting carbide blade allows you to scrape wood, metal, and concrete fast. The 2-component handle gives you better grip and added comfort.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Ideal for fast jobs
Cons
- Some have said the blade it too small
WEUPE Paint Scraper
The WEUPE scraper doesn’t look like the typical scraper, but it’s versatile and it’s meant for heavy duty jobs such as scraping, removing glue, and more. It comes with five stainless steel blade replacements, so you’ll have plenty of backup.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Durable
- Portable
Cons
- Too small
Red Devil Painter’s Tool
We have another Red Devil in our roundup except this one has six features in 1 that we are excited to talk about. The Red Devil’s tool is made out of black nylon and high carbon stainless steel blade.
Pros
- Solvent resistant handle
- Rust-resistant
Cons
- Hard to use on big surfaces
5 in 1 Paint Scraper
The KingOrgin 5 in 1 scraper is a 5-piece toolset. They come in different sizes from one inch to five inches. The handle is comfortable and is heavy-duty.
Pros
- Good for small projects
- Versatile
Cons
- Flimsy
Long-Handle Razor Blade Scraper
The Ur-Excellent Scraper is a versatile tool that has a 10-blades set. Each blade is 18mm and snaps on the handle. It has a long handle for comfort. You can use this scraper on anything like wood, glass, cooktops, and more. The blades are made from stainless steel and they’re about four inches.
Pros
- Multi-purpose
- Works well on glass surfaces
- Efficient
Cons
- Break easily because of the plastic handle
SEEKONE Heat Gun
You may have never thought to use a heat gun to remove paint, but effective. The SEEKONE Heat gun not only strips paint it also offers overload protection for crafts and shrinking PVC. This heat gun runs on 1800 watts and it has 4 nozzles. It has two temperature settings. The highest temperature that you can get from this heat gun is 1202-degree F and for stripping paint 960-1,000 F.
Pros
- Durable
- Small blade is ideal of small paint stains
- Temperature control
Cons
- Some of said the fan is too loud
Forney Wire Brush
The Forney may not look like a scraper, but it is, and it’s also versatile. It has a curved wood handle and carbon steel bristles. The scraper part is made out of heavy duty steel, so you can scrape paint easily.
Pros
- Carbon steel bristles
- Versatile
Cons
- No suitable for big projects
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
How To Scrape Paint From Windows
If you have an IR paint stripper, use that to remove paint from your windows. For a quick DIY solution, mix a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar. Heat the mixture until it’s warm. Get a microfiber cloth and dip it into the vinegar and water. Hold the moist cloth against the paint. After the paint softens, wipe it away with ease.
How To Scrape Paint Off Brick Walls
The easiest to remove paint from brick surfaces is to peel it off. If you have teenage children, have them do it. Another way is to use a wire brush or the equivalent and scrub the paint off the brick. For stubborn paint stains, pour hot water and vinegar solution over the paint. This will soften the paint so you can wipe it off.
Can You Sharpen A Paint Scraper?
Hold your paint scraper over a sharpening stone at a 90-degree angle. Before you do that, make sure to clean the scraper thoroughly.
How To Scrape Paint Off Wood?
The first thing you need to do is determine what kind of paint you need to remove. With latex paint, a clean rag dipped in warm water will get the job done. To remove oil-based paint, the best DIY solution would be denatured alcohol.
How To Scrape Paint Off Metal Railing?
Use vinegar to remove paint from metal railings. When removing fresh paint, you use a scraper, but make sure you soften the paint first.
Paint Scraper Conclusion
A paint scraper is a tool that you shouldn’t live without. Paint scrapers are essential for many reasons. When you need to remove paint, you don’t want to make the job harder than it is.