179: Tool Talk: Infrared Paint Removers

179: Tool Talk: Infrared Paint Removers

From True Tales From Old Houses by Stacy Grinsfelder

March 16, 2026 · 47 min · Season 13 · Episode 179

About this episode

Stacy and guest Scott Sidler discuss preservation funding and the use of infrared paint removers for old house restoration.

In this episode, Stacy brings in Scott Sidler as a guest co-host for some old house shop talk. They discuss the realities of preservation funding and infrared paint removers. Stacy begins with updates from the new State of Restoration project, sharing observations from Toledo and New Orleans, while Scott reports on what he's seeing in Florida. The outlook for preservation funding is bleak, with zero state funding currently allocated for historic preservation projects. From there, the conversation turns to tools. Stacy and Scott break down how infrared paint removers work and walk through the pros and cons of different options to help homeowners choose the right one for their projects. Finally, they wrap up by brainstorming new names for the minisodes, and Scott comes up with a couple that might actually stick. Sign up for the Wood Window Workshop at Blake Hill House Join Stacy on Substack Many thanks to the sponsors who help make this show possible. When you shop at the websites and use the codes below (where available), you're directly supporting their small businesses and the podcast, too! Sutherland Welles - Maker of exceptional polymerized tung oil finishes since 1965. To…

People in this episode

Host: Stacy

Guest: Scott Sidler

Topics covered

  • preservation funding
  • infrared paint removers
  • tools
  • home improvement

Keywords

  • historic preservation
  • homeowners
  • restoration projects

Mentioned in this episode

Products: TRUETALES26, infrared paint removers

Places: Toledo, New Orleans, Florida

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