You should use scraping and removal tools whenever there’s loose, peeling or flaking paint, cracked caulk, old filler, glue, or other residue on the surface. Removing these weak layers helps your new paint or coating grip the surface properly, reduces the chance of future peeling and creates a smoother, more professional-looking finish.

A scraper is mainly designed for one job: removing old paint or material from flat or slightly curved surfaces. A multi-functional painter’s tool combines several functions in one, including typically scraping, putty spreading, crack cleaning, caulk removal, can opening, roller cleaning and sometimes nail pulling. If you want a dedicated tool for heavy scraping, choose a scraper; if you prefer versatility and fewer tools in your bag, choose a multi-tool.

Hold the scraper at a low angle and apply steady, controlled pressure instead of forcing the blade straight into the surface. Let the sharp edge lift loose material rather than gouging the substrate. For delicate surfaces, work slowly, use lighter pressure and consider a slightly more flexible blade.