What is the best tool to use to scrape peeling paint off of cedar shakes?
WHATEVER YOU DO – DO NOT USE A WATER PRESSURE WASHER! They may be okay for aluminum, vinyl, or other non-porous materials; but if you use on wood, no matter how long it dries, there will be residual moisture in the wood, causing paint to bubble and peel when it gets very cold or very hot. Best tool is an electric paint scraper/power paint remover with vacuum. I saw one demonstrated on a “This Old House” episode: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/exteriors/article/0,26206,1181561,00.html It is powered, you gently push up against the wood and pull the trigger and the three scraping heads and vacuum do all the work. You may be able to rent from a “big box” home improvement store or contract with a professional painting contractor to use one to do all the paint removal work, so you can then do the painting yourself. Because of the rotating head design, it does not get into corne
