'Last layer' of paint on wood very stubborn

[Mosaic]

I am in the process of removing years of gloss paint with a heat stripper and I'm noticing that between the clean wood and me there remains a very stubborn layer of paint. I'm assuming this is 60+ years old - will it be some kind of oil-based primer? If I blast it with the stripper it will produce very fine bubbles but doesn't come off as obligingly as the subsequent layers. Any advice most welcome....
BTW all is well-ventilated and I never inhale....

[albaqwerty]

Is in the grains of wood? Possibly sanding might shift some of it.
A strong paint-stripper might help too.

[albaqwerty]

d'oh is it in the grains etc

[theshedman]

Hi, there is a good chance that if it is over 60 years old that it may be a paint with lead in it. You need to be very careful removing this. If you do use a hot air gun then only use it until it has softened it slightly and not until it starts to give off fumes. There are a number of paint removers on the market that would work either solvent, or water based ones. Good luck with it.

[The Builder]

It sounds as though it's a lead primer. You might try a paint stripper "poultice". It's often used on old timbers that have to be restored, but without sand-blasting.
It can be a stripper-impregnated cloth of some sort ........... (thinks: I just hope Mrs Overoid isn't reading this), or a thick paste. Either is left on overnight or more, then peeled off eventually,

[jomifl]

If it is stuck that well you could paint over it unless you have children that gnaw woodwork.

[Mosaic]

Thanks folks! I think I will sand and prime it then paint over....only teensy problem being that the knots have oozed sap over the years, so whatever they used for knotting 60 years ago was rubbish.

[Mosaic]

I don't know about children Jomifl but I once had a budgie that nibbled at the leaded windows. It's dead now......

[jomifl]

Did it have trouble taking off?

[Mosaic]

ooooh, cheep....