The Best Paint Scrapers For Wood

Buying Guide

When it comes to any paint job, especially those on wooden surfaces, preparation is the most important step. From painting the deck to the fence to the side of the house, it’s vital to scrape off the old paint before you slather on the new one. If you don’t scape off the old paint, the new paint job will just flake off after a few months. This not only wastes time, energy and money — but leads to frustration.

Scraping paint off wood is no easy task, which is likely why many people want to skip this step completely. However, if you have the right paint scraper for the job, you can finish the task with less effort.

There are many different paint scrapers for wood available, including a basic option that just has a flat blade attached to a handle. The blades can be shaped like rectangles, ovals or triangles. If you are working on a large surface area and plan to scrape off big sections of paint at a time, opt for a double-edge paint scraper. This is ideal for beginners as it makes the task go faster. If you are working on a particularly difficult patch of paint that won’t come off, you may want to get a paint scraper with a hook attached. This can give you the additional leverage you need to get it done. When working on a delicate surface, it’s best to use a paint scraper that has a plastic blade.

In addition to the blade, the next most important part of the paint scraper is the handle. If the handle isn’t ergonomically built or at least comfortable, your hands will be aching after the first few scrapes. Handles made from wood are a good choice because they are sturdier than plastic handles. Plus, they are often easier and more comfortable to hold than handles made from metal.

• When it comes to blades, stainless steel is a good choice because it is long lasting and will not corrode over time. Carbon steel is also an excellent option because of how durable it is. Plastic blades can come in handy as well, especially for very delicate surfaces.
• What size of blade do you need for your paint scraper? It depends on the surface you need to work on. Ideally, a bigger blade is better to use on a bigger surface and a smaller blade for a smaller surface. Narrow blades will make it easier to get into hard-to-reach nooks.
• Some mistake paint scrapers for putty knives, but these are not the same thing. The scraper is too rigid to apply putty compound. The blade on a putty knife is much thinner than the blade on a paint scraper and would not be strong enough to scrape away paint with ease.
• Ensure the handle on the paint scraper isn’t too large for your hands. A handle with a large diameter will mean you have less control over the paint scraper as you will not be able to get a solid grip on it. It will also hurt your hands in the long run. Plus, you’ll have to continuously adjust your hands while scraping.