Over the years and across many diverse projects I have come to the conclusion that removing paint and varnish can be both a rewarding and aggravating process. With projects ranging from small end tables to stripping varnish off a mahogany Chris Craft boat I learned the importance of a good scraper. When I started restoring an old farmhouse I found a good scraper to be one of my most used tools.

With all of this scraping experience, and after trying every different scraper on the market, I learned a lot first hand about what makes for a good scraper. No matter what removal method you're using (Heat Gun, Chemical Stripper, IR Heater, etc) it is critical that you use a good sharp scraper to remove the softened paint. The performance of the scraper is the most important factor for saving time and energy.

Over the course of my various scraping projects I have accumulated a vast collection of nearly worthless scraping tools. I was never satisfied with any of their performance until one day a friend of mine let me borrow his ProPrep+ scraper. I was convinced.

The original ProPrep scraper utilized two different handles with a total of eight different blade designs. The blades were held in place with two screws. The next generation ProPrep+ design utilizes a quick release handle to allow for speedy blade changing.

The new handle solved my one complaint with the ProPrep scraper - blade changing time. The old style blades were held in place with two screws that would quickly fill with debris making removal a task.

Ease of Use and Handling
One of the biggest benefits of the ProPrep+ scraper is its ease of use. The ergonomic shape and lightweight design of the handle make scraping with one hand in tight spaces possible. Many of my previous scrapers required two hands to deliver enough downward pressure and forward movement to effectively remove paint and varnish. The handle is also made from chemically resistant plastic and has withstood all of the paint strippers I've exposed it to.

Array of Blades
The wide range of blade shapes and profiles available for the ProPrep+ allow it to fit into tight spaces and irregular profile. Not many scrapers out there can claim the same. The blades are make from high quality stainless steel and can be re-sharpened. A sharp blade is critical to efficiently scraping paint. With the Re-designed ProPrep+ you can keep multiple sharp blades handy for quick change out. With the old ProPrep+ design I purchased multiple scrapers to avoid having to stop and change the blade.

Tips for Effective Scraping
A sharp scraper blade is important for effective paint and finish removal. Once you soften the paint (i.e. chemical stripper, IR, heat gun, etc.) you need to efficiently scrape off the old finish. A sharp scraper with firm pressure is the key to minimizing the work. To keep the scraper at peak performance you should "touch up" the edge with a metal file. This process helps to sharpen the edge and forms a small burr at the edge that helps with the scraping process. Depending on the finish you may want to repeat this process every square foot or two.

Where to Buy
The ProPrep+ scraping system is available from WoodZone.com with a standard straight blade or as a combo system in the "Scraping Tools" section. Individual blades can also be purchased as replacements or to add versatility to your existing scraper.