| Q: I have a fireplace mantel that is over 100 years old and was pulled out of a coal-baron house in Pennsylvania. I would like to refinish it. I have concerns that the painted finish is lead based. My thoughts were to put a coat of white primer over it to cover the existing paint, and then put a painted finish over that. I also was thinking of glazing the painted finish to bring out the carving details on the fireplace. Do you have any advice on this project?
A: Lead based paint becomes a problem when you sand or strip it, or if it starts to peel or chip. As long as it is in place, adhering to the wood, and covered with some other paint, there really is no particular danger, at least not for the present, though painting over it is considered only a short term solution. The reason is that if the paint ever starts to peel or chip, it becomes a health hazard. You do need to clean the surface before priming, but that in itself won’t release a lot of lead. Stripping lead paint is another story entirely. If you decide to do that, please read one of the monographs at the URLs listed below.
http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/lead/leadbroc.htm
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/5054.html
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=Safety/LdPntNdToKnw.html
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