Paint remover

Often during the repair process, the question arises of removing the old paint layer from the surface of the walls. To do this quickly and efficiently, you must have information on the basic methods and choose the right paint remover. In this article we will tell you how best to remove paint of various types from different surfaces.

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Leave or still shoot?

In Soviet times, a very popular way of decorating the walls, floors and ceilings of bathrooms and kitchens was their painting. Therefore, the question of removing the painted top layer from surfaces remains quite relevant in our time. Depending on subsequent work, the paint can be left or removed:

1. If in the future you planned to sheathe the surface with drywall, then the old paint will not become an obstacle to you. In such cases, you should not waste your time and money on its removal.
2. Things are completely different if you plan to align the walls with cement plaster or decorate them with ceramic tiles. The fact is that the painted surface has almost zero grip, and no building materials on it simply will not hold. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the fully painted top layer of the walls.

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What determines the choice of method and means for removing paint?

Different types of paints are removed in different ways. Some are removed simply and without much effort, while others cause difficulties even for the most experienced builders. The surface on which it is applied plays an important role.

There are three types of paints: acrylic, water-based and oil. The most difficult option for removal will be its oil type on a concrete surface.

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How to remove oil paint?

There are several methods to get rid of old oil paint on different surfaces. Depending on the complexity of the work ahead, its volume, the necessary speed of surface preparation, you can apply:

• chemical method;
• mechanical;
• thermal.

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Chemical method

The chemical method assumes that a special paint remover will be used, most often these are solvents of different compositions.

Method number 1

If you have a painted concrete wall in front of you, then it will be most effective to use a special tool for removing oil paint.

You will need:

• Gloves.
• Respirator.
• Protective glasses.
• Chemical oil paint remover.
• Brush or paint roller.
• Spatula, wide chisel or iron scraper.

Description of the procedure:

1. Wear all personal protective equipment.
2. Prepare a chemical solution according to the instructions.
3. Apply a paint remover with a brush or paint roller to the walls. It is advisable to perform all movements in one direction.
4. Leave the applied preparation on surfaces for a while.
5. Use a spatula, a metal scraper or a brush with a metal pile to remove the painted layer.

This method allows you to quickly remove oil paint from surfaces. But you should take into account the factor that if it is applied not in one layer, but in several, then re-application of the solvent may be necessary.

Important! This removal method is very toxic.The oil paint remover that is used has a pungent and persistent odor. Therefore, if possible, it is necessary to open all windows and doors so that the room is well ventilated during operation. If solvent gets on your skin, you can get a burn. Pregnant women and children should not be indoors during treatment.

In addition to the health hazard when safety rules are not followed, this method has another significant drawback - its high cost.

Method number 2

If you want to remove the painted layer from the wooden floor, then you can use the means at hand and try the following method.

You will need:

• Water.
• Soda ash.
• Sackcloth.
• Putty knife.

Description of the procedure:

1. Dampen the painted plank floor with water well.
2. Generously fill the surface with soda ash. The soda layer should be thick enough.
3. Cover the areas covered with moist burlap and leave for a day. Do not let the fabric dry - to do this, periodically moisten it.
4. After a day, with the help of a spatula, it will be easy to clean the swollen paint.

Method number 3

Another method involves the use of a simple means for removing paint.

You will need:

• Potassium carbonate.
• Lime.
• Water.
• Putty knife.

Description of the procedure:

1. Mix 1.2 kg of quicklime with 400 g of potassium carbonate. Dilute this mixture with water to a thick consistency.
2. Apply the mixture to the surface to be cleaned and leave for 12 hours.
3. Use a spatula to remove paint.

Method number 4

No less simple option, but for its application it will definitely be necessary to go to the building materials store.

You will need:

• Liquid glass.
• Putty knife.

Description of the procedure:

1. Treat the areas from which you want to remove the upper painted layer with liquid glass.
2. Let the surfaces dry.
3. The silicate film along with the paint will begin to peel off. A spatula can help this process.

Important! For the full effect, the procedure should be repeated several times.

Thermal method

The thermal method involves dissolving the paint when exposed to high temperatures. You can act using one of the following methods.

Method number 1

The least traumatic and inexpensive option if you already have a special tool at hand.

You will need:

• Construction hair dryer.
• Spatula or scraper.
• Personal protective equipment.

Description of the procedure:

1. Heat the painted surfaces with a building hairdryer until the paint softens.
2. Use a scraper or spatula to remove the softened topcoat from the surface.

Important! Proceed sequentially by heating small areas of the wall with paint. In this case, your work will be more effective.

Method number 2

A regular iron is also suitable as a suitable oil paint remover. Of course, this method will require a lot of time from you, but you don’t have to buy additional tools and supplies for cleaning the wall.

You will need:

• Iron.
• Wide sheet of foil.
• Spatula or scraper.
• Personal protective equipment.

Description of the procedure:

1. Warm the painted surface through the foil with an iron.
2. Similar to the previous method, remove soft paint with a spatula.

Important! The thermal method is not applicable in places where electrical wiring passes or in areas decorated with plastic.

A significant drawback of this method is the sharp smell of paint, which is released when it is heated. Therefore, it is very important during the procedure that the room is well ventilated.

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Mechanical method

Due to the toxic substances that are released during the chemical and thermal removal of oil paint, the use of a mechanical method is most optimal.

This method is quite laborious and slow. But its effectiveness, cheapness and minimal harm to the body cover the shortcomings in full.

You will need:

• Ax.
• Water.

Description of the procedure

1. Notch on the old floor with an ax.
2. It is necessary to thoroughly sprinkle painted surfaces with water and leave them for several minutes so that the water is absorbed.
3. Use an ax to clean the top coat. To speed up the process, choose the right angle of the ax.

Important! Most often, this method of removing oil paint from surfaces is used if it is planned to further lay walls and floors with ceramic tiles. The walls will be uneven after cleaning, which is ideal for tile adhesion.

The mechanical method is just perfect in enclosed spaces that are very difficult to ventilate.

Other interpretations of the mechanical method involve the use of construction equipment.

• A grinder with a wide circle will perfectly remove the old paint, but there will be so much dust that after a minute of work it will take more than 15 minutes to wait until the dust settles. Of course, you should work in a respirator and goggles. To date, there are grinders with a built-in vacuum cleaner. With this technique, the process of removing the top painted layer of walls will be much more pleasant and quick.
• Puncher with a nozzle chain - a fairly cheap and effective way to get rid of paint on the walls of various materials. Also on the hammer can be planted a crown on a brick. This nozzle is more suitable for cleaning concrete walls.

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How to remove water-based or acrylic paint?

If in the future you want to treat surfaces with acrylic or water-based paint of a different shade, then do not remove the old paint before doing so. The new layer will perfectly fall on the old. This option is not suitable only in cases where the walls are covered with a water-based paint shade darker than the one you want to cover again. The old layer will then be visible.

You can remove acrylic or water-based paint with a coarse sandpaper or a metal brush. In the case of a non-water-resistant water-based paint, simple washing with water is also suitable.

Important! Be sure to use gloves and other personal protective equipment during operation.

If the paint is of good quality, then it will be removed poorly. In such cases, you can try the above methods, which are suitable for removing oil paint.

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Stock footage

Of course, there are times when it is difficult to determine what type of paint is applied to the surface of your home. Therefore, you will have to try several methods of removing it on a small section of the wall. Start with the simplest and most time-consuming, so that you do not have to waste your strength, time and money in vain.