If you are unsure how to get damaged paint off your wall prior to painting or refinishing, then using heat guns to remove paint is definitely worth looking into.
Heat guns are a highly effective, relatively safe and fast method of paint removal, compared with using paint thinners and other chemical-based stripping methods. Although heat guns are a somewhat uncommon tool, we find them great for not only removing paint, but many other household uses as well such as shrink wrapping, drying and thawing pipes.
Moreover, heat guns allow you to remove paint from awkward parts of your DIY projects that might otherwise be difficult to reach. Your paint removal work will be easy after you decide to use a heat gun to remove paint. If you’re worried about the expense of adding another power tool to your kit, don’t be. They are surprisingly inexpensive – you would probably spend just as much on solvents and strippers.
In this article we review the best cheap heat guns to remove paint for under $40 that are worth owning, plus instructions for using a heat gun to strip paint.
Reasons You Should Use a Heat Gun
You might be wondering whether it is really worth adding yet another tool to your shed, which we completely understand. Here are some of the benefits of owning and using heat guns to remove paint and for other household jobs, and features to look for when shopping for one.
No flames
There is no worry of flames when you use heat guns to remove paint. Heat guns generate hot air that heats the surfaces, softening paint so that you can scrape it off. Sometimes you might like to work on plastics or other flammable materials, therefore it is essential to get a heat gun with good control that will target the specific areas where you would like to remove paint from.
Easy to use
Heat guns are easy to use for removing paint. They are powered by electricity, making it easy to switch on and heat the surfaces. With the best heat guns, you can control the amount of heat released as you work on different surfaces. On this point, you want a heat gun with variable temperature control.
Removes paint from difficult areas
Heat guns allow you to remove paint in tricky areas, that might be otherwise difficult to reach. If this is important to you, look for a model with different nozzle attachments for extra flexibility.
Quick paint removal
Heat guns are very fast when removing paint; you can simply apply them to soften the paint for easy removal with a scraper. No need for time spent preparing and cleaning up toxic solvents or sanding.
Less mess compared to chemical remover
A heat gun is much less messy when compared to other paint removal methods, producing no mess apart from the paint itself. If you decide to use chemical thinners to remove paint instead, there are high chances the process will be messy as you will have to clean up and somehow dispose of the chemicals as well. On this note, heat guns are more environmentally friendly, as you are not putting toxic chemicals into your yard.
Quick Picks – Best Heat Gun to Remove Paint
If you want to get the best heat gun to remove paint on the cheap, here are our picks:
- BLACK+DECKER HG1300 Heat Gun. Jump to review…
- Wagner Spraytech HT1000 Heat Gun Kit. Jump to review…
Best Heat Guns to Remove Paint for Under $40
1. SEEKONE Mini Heat Gun
The Seekone mini heat gun is very effective for removing paint, and is one of the cheapest we’ve found too. It can reach up to 662 degrees Fahrenheit, making it reliable when working on paint removal, but may be a bit low temperature for some other applications. If you are only planning on removing paint with heat gun and have no other uses in mind for it, then this device will do the job just fine. The 4.9 feet cable allows you to work in different areas in your home; you can even apply it to remove paint from the ceiling. It works perfectly in stripping paint, and comes in an ergonomic design making it comfortable to use.
Price Range: $15-20
Pros
- Premium quality and safe
- Ergonomic design
- Versatile application
- Hands-free application
Cons
- Maximum 350w capacity
- Low temperature compared with other models
2. AVID POWER Heat Gun
This powerful heat gun will produce enough heat to easily melt your paint. If you have stubborn paint you would like to take off your surfaces; then this paint removing heat gun will make your job a lot easier. The five nozzle attachments give you a lot of flexibility for different projects, so you can get the best results. It also comes with overload protection to assure you of the safest operation possible.
Price Range: $20-25
Pros
- Powerful and versatile gun
- Dual temperature settings
- Ergonomic design
- Five nozzle attachments
Cons
- Not eco friendly
3. Wagner Spraytech HT1000 Heat Gun Kit
Wagner is a renowned brand in paint sprayer technology, and those who want to achieve the best results can count on the Wagner Spraytech HT1000 heat gun. The Wagner heat gun kit comes with three nozzles, making it suitable for various household applications. It is highly effective as a heat gun for paint removal, as well as for bending plastics. Those who prefer a highly quality heat gun to help them strip paint can rely on it. It comes with built-in safety features to guarantee you safe operation. Based on the brand name and high temperature capability, we consider this the best heat gun to remove paint, along with the Black & Decker model.
Price Range: $30-35
Pros
- Dual temperature heat gun
- Built-in safety features
- Durable heat gun
- Can reach 1000-degree Fahrenheit
Cons
- Only three nozzle attachments
4. PRULDE HG0080 Hot Air Gun Kit
The Prulde hot air gun comes with dual temperature settings for different applications. For example, if you would like to remove paint from surfaces, you can apply it, with good results. For other applications, however, the lower maximum temperature may be a bit limiting. It is easy to use, sturdy and will make your paint removal tasks much quicker.
Price Range: $25-30
Pros
- ETL safety certification
- Easy to use
- Ultra-sturdy
- Wide application
Cons
- Maximum of 752 degrees Fahrenheit
5. BLACK+DECKER HG1300 Heat Gun
Backed by a huge number of excellent customer reviews, this Black+Decker heat gun is a great heat gun for paint removal and other household jobs. This heat gun comes with dual temperature controls and is designed to reach up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. You are assured of the best performance with this high-quality and versatile paint removing heat gun, but unfortunately it can be a little difficult to control. While it is powerful, it is also lightweight, and the three-position handle makes it convenient for general household use.
Price Range: $30-35
Pros
- Versatile use
- Dual temperature settings
- Built-in stand
- Lightweight and compact
- Can reach 1000-degree Fahrenheit
Cons
- Not easy to control
6. ENERTWIST 1500W Heat Gun
The variable temperature control on the ENERTWIST paint removing heat gun will allow you to enjoy the best operation possible on a variety of different applications. It is a mighty and reliable heat gun, with ergonomic features assuring you easy and comfortable use. You can count on this heat gun to remove paint, as well as other household jobs.
Price Range: $30-35
Pros
- Variable temperature control
- Powerful and reliable heat gun
- Ergonomic and safe
- Versatile accessories
Cons
- Lower maximum temperature than comparable models (932 F)
How to Remove Paint with Heat Gun
Heat guns are highly effective in removing paint, and relatively easy to use once you get the hang of them. Practice using your heat gun to remove paint on some scrap wood or a hidden area first. When you feel ready to start removing paint with your heat gun, follow these steps.
5 Steps to Remove Paint with Heat Gun
- Wear protective gear, including gloves and a high-quality aspirator or mask to avoid exposure to the paint fumes.
- Chose low settings, then direct the heat gun to the surface where you intend to remove paint.
- Warm the surface with the heat gun, then remove paint using a scraper and put it in a bin. Your gloves will come in handy protecting your fingers as you place the heated paint in a bin.
- Vacuum the area to remove any small paint particles left after using the heat gun, to avoid pollution.
- Wash your hands to avoid contamination from the paint, and if necessary wipe down the surface with a damp cloth to remove any remaining paint particles.
Other Great Uses for a Heat Gun
We understand you probably don’t want to just buy a heat gun for removing paint on that rare occasion that you need to do it. Good news is, there are several other household applications for heat guns apart from removing paint, which making adding a heat gun to your tool kit worthwhile.
Bending plastic pipes
If you ever find yourself in need of bending plastic pipes, you can use a heat gun. It will make the joints smooth and allow them to bend easily. Those looking forward to achieving the best results can count on the heat gun to bend the pipes to a professional finish.
Shrink tubing and shrink wrapping
If you want to carry out shrink tubing or shrink wrapping, a heat gun will come in handy. Make sure to check the product details to make sure it is capable, and adjust the temperature as specified in your heat gun manual to produce the necessary heat for this.
Soldering copper pipe joints
If you would like to solder copper pipes, you will need the heat gun. It is made to produce enough heat that can melt the solder, so that you can apply the solder.
Lifting vinyl tiles
If you need to lift vinyl tiles, a heat gun is very effective in providing the necessary heat that will melt the glue used to fit the tiles. By melting the glue, it will be easy to remove the tiles.
Drying fillers
After the application of fillers on timber or plywood, plasterboard or plastic, ideally you would like them to dry fast so that you can proceed with the next step of your project. You can turn to a heat gun to dry the fillers fast.
Thawing frozen pipes
If you live in a snowy region, during winter you might find yourself in a situation where you need to thaw frozen pipes. A heat gun will produce the necessary heat you need to remove ice from the pipes and help you get things moving again.
Electrical equipment repair
If you are working with electronics and various electrical repair jobs, heat guns are highly effective in helping you melt solder so you can carry out your work.
Better than a hair dryer
Not for drying hair, of course, definitely don’t use it for your hair! But if you’re anything like me, maybe you’ve tried to use a hairdryer to do the tasks above, with little to no success. Honestly, hair dryers don’t get hot enough. Don’t waste your time, get yourself a heat gun and do it properly.
Conclusion
If you are in a situation where you need to remove paint from a wall, large surface or awkwardly shaped object, using heat guns to remove paint is highly recommended. Although a heat gun is not a common tool that people would normally think of owning, for the small price you’d spend buying one, the time saved in doing paint removal with heat gun as opposed to other methods is well worth it – even if you only ever use it once.
We believe you will find it much easier removing paint with a heat gun than other methods such as paint thinners and dangerous solvents, because heat guns quickly and safely soften the paint making it easy to scrape off. Add one of these affordable paint removing heat guns to your tool kit, and we know you won’t regret it.
Now that you’ve got your paint removal sorted out, how about repainting? Check out our guide to fixing minor cracks and preparing your wall for painting, and save yourself painting time by learning how to paint your house with a sprayer rather than with a roller and brush.
This article was originally written on 6 April 2022, updated on 26 September 2022, and updated on 17 April 2023.
