Does Your Antique Furniture Have Lead Paint? Signs and Testing Methods You Need to Know
If you’re buying or refinishing antique furniture, you might wonder: does my furniture contain lead paint? In this article, we’ll explain some of the signs of lead paint in your antique furniture, as well as how to test for it.
How old is lead paint?
Lead paint was banned in the US in 1978, but that doesn’t guarantee your furniture is lead-free. Furniture produced after 1978 may have been painted with leftover lead paint. (Think about the old paint you have sitting around if you are a DIY’er.)
Warning Signs of Lead Paint
There are several warning signs that your antique furniture has lead paint. Besides the age, you can visually look for damage in the paint. Older lead paint may look scaley like alligator skin. It also may peel easily and have strips of paint missing because of this.
Another visual clue is the color of the paint. As lead paint ages, it can develop a blue/gray hue. While lead paint can develop a blue/gray hue as it ages, not all paint of this color is lead-based. It may also leave a chalky residue when it’s touched.
If your paint has multiple layers to it due to being repainted, there is a good chance that the older layers will have lead in them. This is because each layer will be older than the one above it, and if it’s a vintage piece then the base layers may be from 1978 or older.
How to know if your furniture has lead paint
If you want to be sure that your furniture is lead free, there are two main methods you can use to test. These are using DIY Lead Test Swabs or sending in a sample with a Lead Test Kit.
The DIY Lead Test Swabs will give you a cheap, straightforward way to test for lead above or below a detection limit. (2 mg/cm2)
To use a DIY Lead Test Swab, you’ll find an area on your furniture (preferably where the paint is worn) and clean it off with a damp towel. This should be a small area, 1 cm x 1 cm. You’ll then get the lead test swab wet and rub it on the worn area of the furniture for 30 seconds.
You’ll see if the lead test swab changes color. If it stays the same or turns dark orange, it’s below the detection limit for lead. If it turns pink to purple, it indicates the presence of lead.
All our DIY Lead Test Swabs come with instructions, make sure to follow them to get the most accurate results.
We recommend using the DIY Lead Test Swabs for a preliminary test to see if you need further testing. This is because you do not want to abandon a project due to lead without confirming the results.
What if my furniture has lead paint?
If your Lead Test Swab shows positive for lead paint, there are a few different methods to handle it.
Sealing the Lead Paint
The first option is to seal the lead paint. Lead paint on furniture can be harmful if dust is inhaled or if paint chips are ingested. To prevent this, you can apply a spray sealant or shellac sealer over the lead paint. There are several of these products designed specifically for lead. Most of them won’t change the color of your furniture at all.
There are also primers that are designed for lead paint sealing. This means you can seal the lead paint on your furniture then paint over it with whatever paint you want. If you don’t like the original look of the furniture this gives you more options to customize the piece.
Removing Lead Paint Safely
There are several methods to remove lead paint if you want to remove the paint entirely, but they will be more complicated. You can use wet sanding or scraping if you have proper ventilation, and a HEPA filtered vacuum. And there are several chemical methods to remove lead paint. If you plan to use any of these methods, look at the manufacturer’s directions for the exact chemical you are using and make sure you are cleaning and ventilating your work area properly.
Warnings about working with Lead Paint
Sealed lead paint should still be monitored for wear, as deterioration can expose the lead underneath, posing health risks. If you notice wear on your sealed furniture, it may be worth re-testing it. Our lead test kit comes with 10 swabs, meaning you’ll have extra to re-test.
Whenever you are dealing with lead paint or have furniture with lead paint. Make sure that children and pets aren’t where they can digest lead paint chips or breathe in dust from the paint.
If you want to restore a piece of furniture that has lead paint, do not dry sand it. This puts lead dust in the area that you will breathe in. But even if you use a respirator, the dust will get on your clothes, shoes, and skin and be tracked around. It will also get into the room where you are working, and you could breathe it in later.
Summary:
Understanding if your antique furniture has lead paint is crucial for ensuring both your safety and the safety of your household. By recognizing the signs and utilizing a Lead Test Kit, you can confidently manage any potential risks associated with lead paint.
