planing paintedwood

[Mike Stanton]

Will it hurt my planer blades if I plane
Mikecedar that was painted with latex I think?

[Todd Burch]

I do this all the time on reclaimed wood. But, here are some considerations:

1 - Hidden hardware under the paint
2 - The type of paint. Latex - no big deal. Lead based - don't do it.
3 - In painted pieces where the size allows more material to be removed, I'll resaw on the tablesaw, or bandsaw, just under the paint. Less dust and faster, easier to manage waste. For intance, I reclaimed several 3" x 5" (full) douglas fir porch columns. I resawed both 3" faces, about 3/16" or so, leaving about 1/16" of wood under the paint.

[Kelly C. Hanna]

I resawed all my Redwood reclaimed pieces first then planed then smoother with the planer. I wanted to make double sure there were no nails I'd missed.

[Brad Smith]

Yes, it well kill your planer blades in short order. Paint is essentially ground pigments not all that dis-similar to sandpaper or dirt on the lumber.

Unfortunately, I'm speaking from experience.

[Lamar Horton]

I currently have my jointer knives in the shop getting resharpend because of this, If you don't mind that, then go ahead.