Potential lead paint on staircase

[plantingandpotting]

I'm getting a runner laid on the staircase. Lifting the old carpet has revealed a chipped flaky mess.
I'm concerned the cream paint is as old as the house (100+ years) so almost certainly lead-based.
As you can see it's a state, so needs some kind of love, whether it's sanding back or heating and scraping.
Does anyone have any experience of this?
Should I just give it a clean down and paint over the top, even though it won't look all that great...

Thanks!! 👍

You can get kits to test paint to see if lead us present , I haven't used them but I know people that have and apparently it is simple and quick

Knowing my friend he will of got them from B&Q or Amazon

If it is lead you will have to wear a mask to get it off. Hot air stripper and sand down would be good but make sure you take precautions to stay safe.

You need Peelaway . I had this problem too

www.wood-finishes-direct.com/product/barrettine-peelaway-7?gclid=Cj0KCQiAr5iQBhCsARIsAPcwROMSQ1ZS6YVTGH1t9H3z30jJSQSKVefx5ALwIjsUS9n6RwpCjoCypcMaAp9PEALw_wcB

Ah, thanks all.
@Thighdentitycrisis Woah, I'm definitely going for some Peelaway action after watching that mesmerising video
Looks pretty mess free too. Excellent!

It’s a bit messy to wash off and it raises the grain on the wood but worth it!

Whoa I'm so impressed by Peelaway! Do you think it could work on peeling paint off a metal fireplace?
(Sorry for derail)

I cant believe you have had such a good finish so quickly !

Go Peelaway !

If it is, or may be, lead, do not sand it, and do not use a hot-air stripper. Both the dust and the fumes are very bad for you. For safety it has to be a gel type removing process. And keep it off your hands. You can absorb lead from dust/powder through your skin as well as your lungs.

That looks incredible and so satisfying

@mimos4

Whoa I'm so impressed by Peelaway! Do you think it could work on peeling paint off a metal fireplace? (Sorry for derail)

I used Peelaway on a cast iron fireplace and on cast iron columns on the outside of my bay windows - worked really well on both. Unlike bloody nitramors which turned everything into a stick mess!

I have some photos of the process with Peelaway on the cast iron columns on our house Instagram (www.instagram.com/p/ByVKr9WH1BQ/?utm_medium=copy_link)

The outer layer of white paint was so hard I tapped it off with a toffee hammer
The brown/beige layer was what I applied the Peelaway too. The black was what I was left with after wiping off the Peelaway with a damp cloth.
I used Hammerite on the columns but would recommend using black grate polish on a fireplace to restore the colour.

@AwkwardPaws27 wow unbelievable! Looks amazing after. Did you apply a thick coat? Did you use a scraper thing or brush?

Yes, thick coat - on the columns it was easier with my hands (wearing gloves) because of the shape.
On the fireplace, skirting boards, masonry etc I used a flexible plastic wallpaper smoothing tool to spread it out evenly.

A metal scraper is great for lifting it off afterwards too - it peels off with the paper mostly but the scraper helped with some bits that needed encouragement to lift off.

Is it a big problem if the stuff gets on the walls? I'll be using masking tape to protect the walls around it, but what if a bit gets on by accident?

@mimos4

Is it a big problem if the stuff gets on the walls? I'll be using masking tape to protect the walls around it, but what if a bit gets on by accident?

I did it before decorating so I'm not sure - it would probably lift any paint it got in contact with. It didn't seem to damage the bare plaster though, although I also masking taped to minimise this.

I couldn't readily get hold of any peelaway so opted for some paint and varnish remover from toolstation. It's eco friendly and toxin free...but supposedly works on lead paint. The first layer is on, I feel like it might take a lot more

Good luck op! Let us know how you get on.

@mimos4 I hate it and regret ever starting!!
There's gloopy brown sludge everywhere, I've already powered through the 2 litre tub and it's still a patchy mess.

I'm going to soapy sponge it all down and finish it off with some wet sanding.

Hoping fresh paint will cover a multitude of sins

Oh no OP that's awful! Keeping my fingers crossed for you. And it's never too late to try to source Peelaway!

That's what nitramors did - just sticky sludge everywhere and lots of elbow grease to remove it.
Honestly, Peelaway is so much better.

Is Peelaway very expensive or am I looking in the wrong places? It's about £20 for the smallest container (750g) on Amazon. I assume I'll need that much at least for a fireplace?

If you can't get Peelaway, do you know anyone who does car bodywork? The paint stripper they use (comes in 5 litre cannisters) is excellent for removing lead-based paint. Not sure what it costs now as used it a few years ago and got it cost price. Wear gloves and a mask and ventilate rooms.

@mimos4

Is Peelaway very expensive or am I looking in the wrong places? It's about £20 for the smallest container (750g) on Amazon. I assume I'll need that much at least for a fireplace?

It's not cheap - I bought a gigantic tub from wood finishes direct as have lots and lots of skirting, architrave etc to do. I also bought the test kit with two types first to see which worked better on our paintwork. A lot cheaper than having it professionally stripped though. I would have thought 750g would do a fireplace - I've done skirting & architrave in several rooms, a fireplace, some masonry and cast iron columns & have loads left.