Warner Tool 1000-Watt Radiant Heat Paint Remover #382

I also tried using a pressure washer to remove the loose paint, but found it gouged the old wood.

Unlike the heat gun you must be careful not to heat the paint too hot. It definitely can heat the paint up much hotter. Also, if bits of paint fall onto the element they will probably catch fire, so it is wise not to use this someplace where a fire can easily be started.


Excellent tool   February 17, 2007
W. Rostron (South Carolina)
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

I've used a number of different paint removers and this one is clearly the best. I've owned one of these over 20 years and am using my second one now. With practice, huge swaths of paint can be removed without chemical fuss or mess. Much faster than any heat gun, including the best Master heat gun. Most effective against thick layers of oil based paint.


Works great...for cheap   July 29, 2007
Artie Craftsman (Dayton, Ohio)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

I was considering a purchase of the "silent" paint stripper, or whatever it's called. I thought the price for this was cheap enough for a trial before taking the plunge on something for $300+. I'm glad I did.
I'm restoring old double pane windows and the glazing putty is like granite. Because I am staining and painting the windows also, this works great and is fast. The old stain and paint bubbles up in seconds; hit it with a scraper and move on. The putty softens to a point where it's removable. You get the hang of holding it so that you aren't over heating the glass after a few broken panes. The only drawback is there is no on or off switch...if it's plugged in, it's on.


Just what you expect   April 16, 2008
James A. Houlding (Minneapolis)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Just what I expected. I owned a version of this tool for 20 years and it gave reliable service. The wiring finally got damaged, so I was happy that I could find a new one in its place. Yes, you have to be careful, but a little common sense goes a long way. If the paint catches fire, blow it out. I get in a nice rhythm: count to 10 slowly and then scrape. Repeat. Its messy, but not so bad as that horrible chemical stuff that needs to be repeated several times. Oh, and don't forget to open a window if you are inside. The smell is pretty strong.


It works!!!   June 14, 2008
Brian J. Lamb (NJ, USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I bought this tool and had really high hopes for it. After donning a respirator mask, goggles, gloves, etc. and getting to work with this thing, I was somewhat disappointed. The paint bubbled and became a sticky mess, bleeding its way into the wood grain. Albeit the paint layers dated back to at least 1937 and there might have been an original coat of varnish under everything, but I had hoped for extreme makeover results.

I put the heat tool away and broke out a dremel tool with a fan sanding bit and started working the surface and it came clean...looking brandy spanking new.

A few weeks later I attempted a second window frame. This time I hit paydirt! There is a trick to using this thing, that I wish I had known. Listen closely...first...make sure your scraper is clean, no clumped up messes on it. Make sure it stays that way throughout the process. If you have to have multiple scrapers, or you have to stop partway through to clean it, do it. Trust me, its worth the effort. Second...do not overheat the paint. At first signs of bubbling, you will see a little smoke rising up, shift the heater away from your target spot slightly to begin the heat transfer process. As you move the heater down your surface, stick the corner of your scraper into the paint and lift it off of the surface, actually picking the paints surface and pulling it away from the wood and towards your body. DO NOT SCRAPE! The scraping seems to mash it into the wood. I was able to pull entire strips of paint right off by picking and lifting, making sure to gradually heat the surface and pull it slow.

I would suggest practicing this on some junk areas first. I wish I had known. Now I have a few hours of sanding ahead of me to fix my first attempt.