How to Use a Heat Gun? Follow These Simple Steps

How to Use a Heat Gun: Times have moved out when you have to get paraffin blow lamps to strip paint or do some other minimal task. Now it’s the era of a heat gun that you can use for stripping paint from the timber and use for softening plastics, molding plastic, removing ice accumulation, and soldering, etc. Just upon adjusting a single heat button of your heat gun, you can go for the completion of multiple tasks without the unwanted mess.

But the question that arises here is that; is using the best heat gun a difficult task? No, it is not. But it is the most accessible household handy machine to take in use. And luckily, the best point to talk about these guns is that they entirely work on electricity, and there are zero risks of wood scorching or any other misfortune. And you can also turn the heat flow on and off after intervals you probably can’t do with a paraffin flame lamp.

Features of a Heat Gun

If you want to be a master at using a heat gun for your chores and DIY projects, you need to look at the features that are clicking about this gun. 

• Commonly the wattage of heat guns ranges between 1000 to 2000 watts. 
• The main control switch is front-mounted that is easily visible on every model.
• The temperature adjustment button is also there on the front side. You need almost 500 degrees temperature for stripping paints from a woody surface.
• Airflow is also variable, which is a plus point for DIY enthusiasts.
• You can hang your heat gun after every usage through a hanging hook at the back. And also, during your projects, you can make it stand on an inclined surface using its surface stand. 
• Several nozzles are provided with the heat gun, which you can change by the nature of your projects.

How Does a Heat Gun Work?

A heat gun is much likewise to a blow dryer. It contains a fan inside that is responsible for producing air instantly. This air passes through the heated element and then comes out of the gun. We can call it a blow dryer, but the only difference is that a heat gun works at much higher temperatures that may burn your hair. 

There are variable heat settings and airflow settings that you can adjust according to your requirement. Also, the wattage is relatively high drawn by the heat gun, so it is recommended not to use any extension when switching your heat gun. 

Temperature Adjustments for a Heat Gun

If you are using a primary heat gun, it is expected to have a single button to turn it on and off for stripping paints. It contains pre-adjusted heat settings to 500 degrees. 

However, for advanced-level heat guns, you have an option to change the heat intensity. For drying or varnishing paint, you can go for the temperature ranging between 30 to 140 degrees.

And for drying damp wood optimum temperature is about 200 degrees.

Whereas, for welding plastics and paint stripping, you will need the highest temperature.

How to Use a Heat Gun like a Pro?

If you are looking forward to getting optimum results while using the best heat gun for removing paint from wooden surfaces, then you have to keep the gun inclined at an angle of 45 degrees from the surface. And keep one thing in mind that you cannot place your gun subjected to one spot for more than a few seconds. This may not give you accurate results because of the bubbling of paint under excessive heat. [acf field=”faqschema”]

Just wait for minor blistering under the layer of paint and then scrape it away with the scrapper or any other sharp object. But keep one thing in mind that if you remove colored paint, then do not overheat it to remove the stocked paint in wood. This may cause discoloration of wood or may give it a burn mark. 

Also, keep one thing in mind if you remove paint that contains lead in it, which may cause you harm. So make sure that your paint is unleaded before going off a heat gun. 

Final Verdict on How to Use a Heat Gun

No doubt, a heat gun is just what the doctor ordered for scrapping paints without any risks of mishaps. This will make your work done in minutes with 100% accuracy, but still, you have to keep some points in mind. Heat guns drive massive wattage for working effectively, so try not to use extensions; this may cause circuit breakage. Try not to use the gun near flammable liquids and materials. And keep your safety superior to everything. Never touch the hot nozzle while working, and keep the gun inclined using the stand provided with it.