Heat gun vs. paint removal with IR heat

What are the advantages of removing paint with a heat gun compared to IR heat?

Of course, the first question is: will both tools help you remove paint? Yes, indeed, but there are many reasons why it’s both safer and more effective to use Speedheater’s IR system. These are a few of the reasons why we recommend Speedheater over a heat gun.

Precision: The specific infrared wavelengths used in Speedheater™ IR systems only heat the area directly in front of the heat source and none of the surrounding area. A heat gun blows very hot air unevenly across a wider surface, which increases the risk of fire and reduces efficiency. A heat gun also requires constant motion, which makes it difficult to control where and how long the paint is heated.
Lower temperature: Speedheater™ only needs to heat paint to 110-160°C/400-600℉ to separate the bottom layer of paint from the wood. Heat guns need to heat paint, layer by layer, to 400°C/1000℉ in order for the surface to be scrapable.
Reduced fire risk: Speedheater’s™ infrared technology only heats the paint and upper part of the wood, thereby minimizing the risk of fire. The hot air from the heat gun goes between and under boards and into cracks where dust and debris can easily ignite. The high heat penetrates through the back of the wood and into whatever material is behind it. Hidden behind the wood surface, that material can catch fire even after all the paint has been scraped away.
Amateur-certified: Speedheater™ IR systems require less prior knowledge for safe heat monitoring. With Speedheater™, you can quickly remove all paint layers down to the bare wood suface in just a few strokes. With heat guns, reheating and additional scraping are often necessary to remove the paint. Without the right tools and experience, you run the risk of damaging the wood.

How does the method work?

IR lamp emits infrared heat radiation.

Heater blows hot air.

Energy consumption

The method requires low energy consumption. 75% less energy consumption compared to a heat gun.

The method requires high energy consumption.

Temperature

Only 110-160°C to effectively remove paint.

Requires about 400°C to effectively remove paint.

Impact on surroundings

Completely quiet, no vibrations. No sparks are formed. Only heats the area directly in front of the tool.

Loud whistling sound and vibrations. Creates sparks. Spreads heat throughout the room.

Fire risk

Very small fire risk since less heat is required to work efficiently. Only heats the surface directly in front and doesn’t penetrate into cracks or crevices.

High fire risk since the heat blows into cracks and reaches the surface behind the paint where dust and dirt can start to smolder. The material behind the wood can also begin to smolder and ignite long after use.

Environmental impact

Does not release harmful amounts of toxins from the paint and does not endanger the health of the user. Does not require chemicals.

Releases toxins encapsulated in the paint and can be harmful to the user. Does not require chemicals.

Risk of personal injury

Low heat on surfaces and tools means low risk of burning. Does not release harmful amounts of toxins.

High heat on surfaces and tools also means a high risk of burns. Toxic fumes are released during use.

Risk of material damage

Low heat and spark-free technology mean a low risk of fire and burns on surfaces. Low risk of cracking glass when heating.

High heat and sparks mean a high risk of fire and burns on surfaces. High risk of cracking glass when heating.

User-friendliness

Ergonomically designed to minimize personal injury and simplify usability. Easy to handle, even for beginners.

More difficult to use from an ergonomic perspective and requires some technique to work efficiently.

Cost

Short-term: Relatively high purchase price. Long-term: Long service life and low energy consumption make it more affordable in the long term.

Short-term: Relatively low purchase price Long-term: Short lifespan, consumes more energy and risks becoming expensive in the long term.

Resale value

High resale value.

Low resale value.

Time required

Covers large areas, fast heating process and is generally 2 to 4 times faster than a traditional heat gun. No prep work or follow-up required.

Can only heat a small area at a time. The time it takes to heat paint varies depending on the quality and type of machine. Time-consuming heating method.

Lifespan

High quality and long durability of products. Speedheater always offers refunds and support for any factory defects as well as general servicing and repairs at very affordable prices.

Varies depending on the manufacturer; however, there is a high risk of getting a product with a shorter lifespan and fewer servicing and repair options.

Maintenance

A Speedheater can almost always be repaired if damage were to occur. IR tubes and other consumable parts may need to be replaced over time and with heavy use. Spare parts are always offered at affordable prices.

Varies depending on brand and quality. In many cases, parts of the product cannot be replaced, meaning the product cannot be repaired. This results in the user oftentimes having to invest in a new product.

Versatility

High versatility. Wide range of uses and applications. Perfect for small and large projects and on different types of surfaces.

Large selection to choose from, but generally requires more specially adapted products depending on the project’s size and scope.

Did you know that you can buy and rent Speedheater from retailers throughout Sweden?

Several of our dealers offer both purchase and rental of our IR technology. Find your nearest dealer here.

Retailers

Why should I choose Speedheater if I am a professional?

Our products make for a non-toxic work environment, are engineered with high quality and are ergonomically designed to make your work fast and easy! Our products offer a long service life and use very little energy, making them increasingly affordable the longer you use them. We design versatile machines that can be used for projects of all sizes and offer a safe alternative for both you and the surface you’re working on. Take care of yourself and your environment!

Why should I choose Speedheater if I am an amateur?

Our products are extremely simple and safe to use, even for beginners. We have developed our products to provide a safe work environment where no harmful amounts of toxins are released during use, which is especially important in, for example, a home environment and in families with children. By using our products, you minimize the risks of burning yourself and the surface, and our products’ versatility means that you can use them on almost all of your renovation projects, including on exteriors, windows and furniture.

When is it better to choose Speedheater over a heat gun?

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, Speedheater IR systems are safer, faster and more user-friendly compared to, for example, heat guns.

High quality
Fast
Flexible
Safe
Non-toxic
Ergonomically designed
Low energy consumption
Long durability
Great repair options

When is it better to choose a heat gun over Speedheater?

In the short term, price is the biggest advantage of heat guns. The selection is large, and there are many models to choose from that are cheaper than a Speedheater. In the long run, however, a heat gun is not financially advantageous as it consumes more energy and is difficult to renovate and repair.