Is it appropriate to say something in this situation?

Question

I bought a wooden "antique" table and chairs that were from Mexico from a family in Santa Cruz on Craig's List. They were expensive, but I was attracted to the idea that they were a. wood/ not plastic, b. unique, c. used (we're trying to not buy lots of brand new things for our daughter). My daughter was only 5-months-old at the time, so the set has been sitting in my garage waiting for me to re-rush the chair seats (they are pretty funky) and test the paint for lead. Well, the lead paint tests came back positive for all the chairs (I think the four chairs were $15 each). I am kind of upset about this since all of it was expensive and in not very good condition (the condition I could fix, but the lead, not so much). I don't want my money back (I could have thought to check before I bought them), but I feel the need to at least tell her that her daughter was using lead-based paint chairs. And now I am stuck--I can't with a good conscience post them back on Craig's List to sell them to some family with kids, so I don't know what to do with the chairs. What should I do?

Answer 1

Sand them down and re paint them using safe paint.

Answer 2

They should have listed that the paint was lead based before placing them on Craig's List. It is highly doubtful they didn't know about the paint and/or know that lead paint is bad for you. It is all over the news down in that area. So go ahead and tell them about it if you wish but they likely already know. And you could resell them on Craig's List and do so with a guilt free conscience if you post a note about the lead paint.

Answer 3

I think you might be able to strip the paint off, sand them down, and re-paint them, but that might be too much effort.  So throw them away, I know it's hard to throw something away that you just bought, but nobody should use them unless you get the paint off.  Contact your local poison control center, it's illegal to dispose of lead-based painted products in the regular trash, the PCC will tell you where to take it.  Also, you should definantly tell them about them about the lead, it would be morally remiss not to.

Answer 4

Scrape the paint off (you can buy products at the hardware store for this) and repaint the chairs.  Problem solved.

Answer 5

If it's really going to bother your conscience, contact the family & let them know you are just sharing information you've obtained. They may want to have their daughter checked for lead poisoning. To help you in the future, you should be aware that anything painted before 1970 (therefore anything "antique") is probably going to be lead based paint. Also, even today a lot of things coming from Mexico (pottery, for example) still has lead paint, so be wary. I'm a mom, too, so I reallly relate to your concerns.

After reading the other comments...please don't sand or scrape off the existing paint. That will release the lead dust into the air & coat everything it settles on. The dust is far more dangerous than the paint itself. That's why lead paint removal & restoration should only be done by a trained professional.

Answer 6

Jennifer it's all not that complicated. Speak to a wood specialist and see what you can do about the paint. I work with wood a lot I have a shop, but I haven't worked with lead painted furniture in many years. The last time I did I had to strip it with a heat gun and wear a breather mask and do it outdoors. Then as I recall (from memory) there was a certain type of paint to put over it to seal what was left in. Speak to a wood specialist. Yes, if you do readvertise them it would be responsible to notify the buyer that the chairs contain lead paint. As far as the seller goes, that's up to you. Look into it.