When painting a new house or renovating your home, paint can spill on the wood, stone, and brick that was not to be painted. Getting rid of the paint can be a hard task, especially if you do not clean the mess immediately. It is also important to note that removing water-based paints is much easier compared to oil-based paints. Therefore, to efficiently remove paint from a surface, you need the following tips and tricks.
What to do before you remove paint
- Before you attempt to remove paint from any surface, you need to carefully evaluate the method you wish to use. Ensure it is not hard on the surface to prevent possible damages.
- Be sure to ventilate the room in case the paint produces high fumes.
- Spot test the area first before you start removing the paint.
- Carefully asses the type of paint spilled, so that you can use the best solution for removing it.
- Use protective gloves when removing the paint because the chemical substance used can be harsh to your skin.
Removing paint from wood floors
You need warm water to remove paint from wood floors, especially if the paint is wet. Use warm water with mild soap to wipe off the paint. Most importantly work from the outside as you progress to the center.
If the paint is soft, scrap it off the floor using a dull butter knife. For dry paint, use a hairdryer to soften the paint. Scrap it off and if it doesn’t come out, consider rubbing alcohol on a rag to gently remove the paint.
For stubborn paints on wood floors, it is imperative that you use odorless mineral spirits. This is efficient when you are removing oil-based paint.
In the event where the paint is very stubborn, use a paint thinner. You will also need sand to help you refinish the area with spilled paint. These products play a significant role in removing the paint and glazing the area.
Removing paint from metal/steel
Removing paint from any metal is not hard. You only need to employ the right methods and a little patience. Today, you will find a wide array of products that help you to remove paint from metal.
1. Using chemicals
There are different types of chemical paint removers. There are also paste, aerosol and liquid paint removers. Based on the type of metal you want to clean or remove paint from, choose the right products. For example, liquid paint removers tend to dry up quickly. Therefore, they work well on small pieces of metal or a small area with paint.
Aerosol sprays, on the other hand, are good for larger items or areas. Most importantly, you need to cover your metal with the solution, let it activate, and then rinse the cleaned area using clean water. You can also use a chisel to safely remove the paint.
2. Using heat
You can also use heat to remove paint from metal. Soak the metal in a pot filled with soapy water. Let the heat and soap work gently on the paint. Gently scrub off the paint while loosening it with a nylon brush.
3. Use baking soda
Baking soda is very effective and a fast way of removing paint from a metal. Pour enough baking water in a pot and dip in the metal. Allow it to simmer or soak for thirty minutes. When you remove the metal from the pot, you will realize that the paint will peel off effortlessly. Removing paint from metal using baking soda is one of the safest and efficient methods to use.
Soda blasting is reliable and works efficiently on brick, wood, stone, and steel. Compared to sandblasting, soda blasting is relatively expensive. Even so, it is worth your consideration because you use an air compressor, it is also friendly and safer. It also works best on the interior and exterior surfaces.
Removing Paint from Brick
As with any other type of surface, it is important that you scoop out any excess wet paint before you start removing it from the brick. You will need different tools including a;
- Laminated paper removal strip.
- Protective gear.
- A paint stripper.
- Plastic scraper.
- Plastic sheeting.
- Trowel.
- Mineral spirits.
- Respirator.
- Stiff bristled brush and a painters tape.
First, you need to test the stripper on part of the brick to ensure it is the right type. This is essential because it allows you to choose a stripper that will make your tasks simpler.
Lay down the plastic sheeting and tape the drop cloth to avoid spreading the paint to other areas. Don the protective gear and position the peeling strips, cover all areas and let it settle for a few minutes and the start peeling the strips off. Use slow, consistent and deliberate fashion to avoid ripping them. Once you are done, use water to clean off the brick.
Dispose of the strips once you are done because there are peeling strips that contain chemicals. The chemicals may continue to react posing some health risks to you.
Removing paint from stone
Paint on stone can cause damage to your building. This is because it prevents the stone from breathing. Therefore, you need to use the right methods to remove paint from stonework based on the type of stone used. Generally, it is always advisable that you start with the least aggressive methods.
Patch test the area where you need to remove paint to ensure you do it in the safest way possible.
Weathering and water washing
You can let the paint deteriorate naturally. If the paint doesn’t fade off, use sponging and scrubbing method. You will need water and soft bristle brush. This is very effective on lime-wash, emulsion, and friable or old paints.
Steam stripping
Use low-pressure superheated stripping for water-based thinned paints. Clean the surface slowly. This is a method that is quite easy and it cleans without corroding the stone.
Non-caustic chemical removers
You can also use non-caustic chemical removers to remove paint from stone. This is an effective method used to remove oil-based or latex based wet and dry paints.
Caustic chemical removers
Alkaline or caustic chemical removers on the other hand including potash and caustic soda are great for water-based paints. However, they can be damaging if left on the stone for long. Therefore, use it to remove the paint and rinse thoroughly with water. Do not leave any residue.
Mechanical abrasive
Mechanical abrasive involves the use of high-pressure water cleaning, grit blasting, and sand. Remove the paint gently to avoid damaging the stone.
Manual abrasive
Use a wire bristle, sanding and scraping method to remove the paint. It is aggressive and you need to remove the paint gently to avoid possible damages.
Whatever the method you choose to use to remove paint from stone, you need to allow any stubborn paint to weather naturally. This will help to prevent any damage to the stone.
The basics of removing paint
Whether it is removing paint from brick, steel, stone, metal or wood, chemical strippers are some of the most efficient products to get the job done. Even so, you need to carefully check your stripper and the label for a product that is suitable for the type of surface you are cleaning. Remember, there are strippers for;
- Water-based paints.
- Oil-based paints.
- Varnishes, stains, and epoxy among other finishes; therefore, they cannot be interchanged. If you want excellent results, invest in the ideal stripper. Thicker stripping solutions are easy to use. What’s more, they stick much better on all types of surfaces. As a result, they make your work easier.
Use affordable brushes, start with a small amount of stripper and whenever you need an extra solution, you can always add it. This makes it easier for you to clean and remove paint without contaminating your stripper.
It is always recommended that you work from the top down when removing paint from your furniture. It allows you to uniformly cover all surfaces.
For a flat surface, get rid of any item on the floor, lay the stripper flat if possible. This will make it easier for you to remove the paint uniformly and safely.
For metal and other pieces, take them outdoors. It offers an ideal environment for safe cleaning and better ventilation. What’s more, there are strippers that remove paint faster and more efficiently when exposed to the sun.
For latex paint, you need to use a douse with hot water. Hot water helps to efficiently remove the paint as it softens the latex easily.
Power washing is also another ideal technique that removes paint from an exterior surface whether it is on concrete, brick or metal.
If all other options fail, it is always recommended that you use a methyl based solvent. It works efficiently on all types of surfaces. It is also thinner, harsher and more flammable. This means that you need to be extra careful when using this type of paint remover. Alternatively, consider safer gels such as citri strip. Soda blasting is excellent for removing paint on an exterior brick.
Most importantly, before you start removing the paint, carefully assess the surface, determine how old is the paint and is it cured/treated or not. Most importantly, getting a professional to get the job done is always a plus. Anglian Blasting offers the best blasting solutions to clean your surfaces efficiently.