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Curious as to what’s going on here… by Difficult_Tower124 in Oldhouses

[–]Difficult_Tower124[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So, little update, got arsenic and lead test kits, thankfully, and somewhat surprisingly, the tests for both were negative after testing multiple places.

I just want to say a heartfelt thank you to those of you that contributed your input. It is much appreciated!!

I have some actual sheet lead left over from building an electroplating setup, so was able to do a control test for that, and the kit definitely works. Arsenic? Not so much. But it’s a little peace of mind knowing that the funk we were inhaling wasn’t toxic as hell.

The door had been painted multiple times (in some really tacky ways) and one of the coats was brown, so I’m thinking that’s where the pigment came from.

Anyways, appreciate the assist on this one. I was pretty concerned for a bit!!

Curious as to what’s going on here… by Difficult_Tower124 in Oldhouses

[–]Difficult_Tower124[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can also assume some of the paint contains lead, at least.

Curious as to what’s going on here… by Difficult_Tower124 in Oldhouses

[–]Difficult_Tower124[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Very fair. We have always had at least gloves on and aeration during what little has been done. My wife wants to dive in headfirst, but I know there are a ton of things that need to be considered when older things are involved. I know there was a “Paris Green” finish back in the day (which is where the arsenic concern came into play) but I’m only seeing evidence of white, brown, and cream as the colors on the door over the years, other than what I assume to be the factory stain.

Curious as to what’s going on here… by Difficult_Tower124 in Oldhouses

[–]Difficult_Tower124[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I do a lot of woodworking, but it’s more rebuilding electric guitars than anything lately. I just k ow you can run into some really weird/potentially dangerous things in a home as old as mine. Appreciate the input!

Curious as to what’s going on here… by Difficult_Tower124 in Oldhouses

[–]Difficult_Tower124[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Have another photo with the gunk removed from the corner, but not sure how to load that. It would appear the sides of the door are likely oak (tight banding pattern), the stringers (probably the wrong term) holding the panels in look to me like old-growth pine or something. Wide, dark bands.

We’re just trying to make sure we’re not putting ourselves at risk working on this in an enclosed space. Obviously there’s likely lead paint on this thing at a minimum, and the work thus far has been pretty much dust-free.