Sooner or later, each owner of an apartment or their own home concludes that the time has come to make repairs. It does not matter if it is a cosmetic procedure, the purpose of which will be to create a new and more fresh interior, or whether it will be a serious project, including re-planning and use of unusual finishing materials, you may encounter a number of difficulties. Especially if you intend to do all the work yourself. One of the most common problems is the removal of old decorative coatings from the walls. If the old layer of plaster sometimes starts to crumble itself and fall off in whole layers, and old wallpaper can move away from the walls in whole strips, then it will be much more difficult to cope with a layer of old paint. And before a certain type of finish it must be removed without fail. In order to simplify this task, you need to know effective ways to remove paint from the wall.
When to remove old paint and why?
It's no secret that 15-20 years ago, paint and paper wallpaper were the favorite finishing materials of all builders. Especially often you can find painted walls in the bathroom and toilet, in the kitchen or in the corridor. Creative builders often decorated the walls with flowers and boats. Unfortunately, such a print ceases to be touched when it becomes necessary to get rid of it. It’s one thing when the old paint is already half-finished and can be easily removed with a spatula. And it’s completely different when there are several layers, they are applied to the conscience and stick with enviable strength. Assuming the severity of future work, many drop their hands and creep in the thought: "or maybe him?". We hasten to please you - in some cases old paint really no problem for further finishing work. It all depends on their type:
- For example, if we are talking about a bathroom, where there is a need to level the plane of the walls for further laying of tiles, you can simplify the task with drywall. Some walls are so curved and have such obvious differences that sometimes it is really quicker and even more economical to level them with drywall fixed to the profiles than with plaster. Plus you get a surface with excellent adhesive performance,
- To fix plastic or other wall panels, lining the old paint will also not become an obstacle,
- If re-staining is planned and the surface of the walls allows you to do without their alignment, you can apply a layer of a new coating on top of the old. Provided that it does not swell, does not exfoliate, holds tight and has no cracks. In some cases, it is allowed to remove certain areas of exfoliated paint, and fill the resulting unevenness with finishing plaster. But note this item applies only to situations when applied acrylic paint on an old acrylic, or enamel paint on an old oil. In the case of applying acrylic or water-based paint to an old enamel, these compositions simply will not “lie down” on a glossy surface. Perhaps when you apply it, it will seem to you that the paint was evenly distributed on the surface and everything turned out, but after drying you will find individual islands of a new color, which are interconnected by thin cobwebs,
- They will avoid the need for an old coating before tiling the walls and modern means. For example, a primer called Concrete contact and other interpretations of the name with a similar meaning promise good adhesion after drying, even with an absolutely smooth surface. The list even features glass, and on the Internet you can find many video confirmations.
- If you plan to apply wet plaster and other compounds to the walls, such as wallpaper glue, for example, paint must be removed without fail. Plaster simply does not “stick” to a smooth surface. The paint has a minimal ability to absorb liquid, so the usual soil simply can not penetrate into its structure and provide adhesion. And under the weight of heavy wallpaper, impregnated with glue, the paint can simply come off along with freshly glued wallpaper. Even if at first glance, it seems that she is holding tight.
What to consider when choosing a paint removal method?
Before embarking on laborious and lengthy work, it is necessary to understand what we are dealing with and try to choose a method that will nevertheless prove to be most effective with the least labor and time. To do this, you need to pay attention to five determining factors:
- Decide which amount of funds are you ready to spend on acquiring the right tools or solutions, and are you ready at all
- How time you have. After all, it happens that the employee whom you hired to lay the same tile is suddenly released earlier than the agreed time and is ready to start work at your place in a day. Then you have to prepare the walls at a very fast pace,
- An important role is played by type of base. It can be plaster, cement, brick or concrete,
- A typepaints - acrylic, water emulsion, oil or enamel. Of course, it is very difficult to do this with a visual inspection, but it is still possible to distinguish the oil composition from others. We’ll say right away that the most difficult thing is to remove the oil paint from the concrete base,
- And the last - number of layers paintwork. A thin layer is sometimes much more difficult to remove than a thick layer, which, when struck, breaks off with plates due to its own rigidity.
And the best thing is to "try for a tooth" and try to remove a piece of paint in each of the methods one at a time on a small section of the wall, starting with the simplest.
Mechanical methods for removing paint
Usually, they primarily try to remove the coating mechanically. It should be noted right away that these methods are the most time-consuming, but at the same time one of the most affordable. A variety of tools are used, starting from the simplest. Before starting work, it is necessary, if possible, to free the room from furniture or cover with a film surfaces that should remain clean and not dust and particles of paint. Let's consider in more detail.
When is this procedure necessary?
It depends on the repair method. If you want to plaster surfaces, or repaint them, as well as wallpaper, then remove the old paint required in all of these cases.
There are times when the old paint looks captivatingly strong and the owners paste wallpaper on it. However, in this case, the chances are that the drying glue, together with the mass of wallpaper that hang on it, detect hidden bubbles where the paint is bad or does not hold at all.
it immediately affect the wallpaper itself, which will sadden the owners who spent not a little money on repairs.
If you sheathe a wall or ceiling with panels, then in this case the paint can be left.
Burning out
This way fast and efficient but unfortunately, it is not always applicable.
Its essence is that one worker heats a section of the wall or ceiling with a powerful gas burner until the paint darkens, and the second immediately after quickly cleans a darkened area sharp metal spatula.
Respiratory organs required must be protected by gas masks. Old paints may contain powerful carcinogens.
To prevent fire, it is prohibited in this way. to clean wooden surfaces. You can burn any paints with organic binders.
Using solvents
The chemical method is suitable for:
- acrylic paints
- glyphthalic
- pentaphthalic,
- nitro
- for some types of polymer paints.
The hardest thing is to remove the old oil paint in this way. The wash begins on top, soaking with a swab or roller surface. After a few hours, the swollen paint is cleaned with a spatula.
This way refers to especially dangerous - May cause explosion of solvent vapor. Work without gas masks and effective ventilation is prohibited.
Special mixtures (washes)
In this case, a special tool is used. In view of the previous one (see the section on solvents), chemists have developed a combined method when an organic-based paint binder exposed to strong alkali with the addition of solvents.
it reduces vapor concentration solvents in the air, and due to the fact that alkali loosens the old paint, the solvent quickly penetrates into the depth and acts additionally.
Swollen paint cleaned using a scraper and wash the surface: First, acidified with water (vinegar, citric acid, weak hydrochloric acid 1-2%), and then lightly wiped with solvent R-646.
Do you know which paint is best for outdoor woodwork? Detailed information is here.
Thermal methods
Methods for removing old paint using elevated temperatures also carry to extremely dangerous. When carrying out such work, reliable protection and concentration are necessary, and, of course, experience with the tool below. Three commonly used methods can be distinguished.
No. 6. We use an ordinary iron
For a coating that is no longer held in the most reliable way, the method of exposure to temperature is suitable with help the usual iron. Through a sheet of dense foil, it is possible food, the desired area is well heated, and then the softened coating is removed with a spatula.
Water emulsion
Often used on ceilings and in dry rooms, it’s easy to remove such paint from the wall:
- Pour warm water into the basin.
- Moisten a roller or rag in water, moisten the walls.
- Wait 15-20 minutes.
- Remove the coating with a spatula.
Tip: Before starting work, cover the furniture and floors with foil.
Instead of a roller or rag, it is convenient to use a pump sprayer - draw hot water into it and spray it. It is also convenient to soak the wallpaper.
Acrylic
Unlike water-based paints, this will have to be scraped off while working on a dry surface.
It is possible to remove acrylic paint from the walls in the bathroom or another room with the help of coarse-grained emery paper - however, you will have to rub it for a long time and you will need more than one sheet.
Another option is temperature. Use a building hair dryer to warm up old paint and remove it like a film. A detailed technique is described in the video.
Tip: If you plan to re-apply acrylic paint on the walls, you can not remove the old coating.
Oil
base, you have to try. Solvent will help remove oil paint from small areas, but it has a pungent smell and if there is not enough ventilation in the room, it is better to refuse this option.
Proven temperature method to remove paint from the wall:
- Heat the area with a construction hairdryer.
- Remove paint with a spatula.
Important: When heated, corrosive substances are released into the air, so you need to work in a respirator and in a well-ventilated apartment.
The safest, but long-lasting method is mechanical. The puncher with a special nozzle will help speed up the process, the process is described in the video:
To reduce the negative effects of vibration on the joints, wrap the nozzle with a rag or foam rubber.
Concrete
One of the most problematic combinations is the old layer of Soviet oil paint on a concrete wall. However, due to the porosity of the material, it is not easy to tear off any composition from it. The plus is that you can use any method: mechanical, chemical or thermal.
Plaster
Due to the ability of the plaster to swell, it will not be difficult to remove paint from the walls above it. The simplest order:
- Make notches on the surface.
- Apply warm water using a roller or spray.
- Leave on for 20-30 minutes.
- Remove paint with plaster.
Brick
Any brick, whether silicate or ceramic, is defenseless against chemical compounds, so the use of washing is discarded. You will not only ruin the appearance, but also destroy the masonry itself. Rigid mechanical cleaning with sand or a perforator is also dangerous for bricks.
The most reliable option in this case is sandpaper or a spatula. Or in order to save time, you can order a soft blasting service from professionals:
Mechanical methods for removing paint
The safest in terms of the absence of toxic substances and unpleasant odors is a mechanical removal option. You will need an additional tool that you can either buy or rent.
Important: Before any work, take care of your own safety. Wear protective clothing, goggles, a respirator and gloves!
Spatula
The easiest and cheapest method is a spatula. With it, you can remove paint from the walls, even in the corners, around outlets and switches. The disadvantages include the complexity and duration of the work.
Often the blade is used in combination with heat or chemical treatment. That is, the coating is initially heated or dissolved, and then cleaned off.
It is convenient to use a sharp spatula-scraper, the advantages of which are described in the video:
Grinder
One of the fastest, but dangerous methods. If you do not have the skills to work with this tool, it is better to entrust the task to professionals or choose a different method of removing paint.
A minus is a large amount of dust and noise that neighbors will not like.
Professionals advise not using a rigid metal brush, but a diamond bowl - thanks to its strength and high speed of rotation, you can quickly and easily remove even a thick layer of paint. You will learn about how to select and apply it from the video:
Chisel
The main advantage of a manual chisel in durability. If necessary, this tool can withstand even tapping with a hammer without bending or deforming.
To peel paint off walls in this way:
- Sharpen the chisel (this step needs to be repeated periodically).
- Position the wall at an angle of 60-80 degrees.
- Tap on it, leaving a gap of 3-5 mm.
- Scrape off the remains with a chisel or trowel.
Ax
For this method, choose a light and convenient tool, because a heavy ax will not work all day.
The idea is the same notches as when working with a chisel. But here you only need an ax.
Hold it at a right angle and strike the wall at a distance of 3-5 mm from each other.
Important: The paint will fly off, so glasses will be useful for protection.
Drill with different nozzles
Many masters consider this method to be optimal, because there is a drill in almost every house, it is lighter than a hammer drill and safer than a grinder. In this case, the process will be much faster than when using a hand tool.
As with a grinder, an iron brush is not the most reliable option. Much faster and easier to remove the composition from the wall with a few fixed chains. Such a nozzle is not difficult to do on your own, its cost will be minimal. But you need to work with this design at low speeds and away from furniture or plumbing.
In the video you will see the method in action:
Ready flush
Funds are released in the form of gels, liquids, aerosols and powders. Depending on the composition, there are acid, alkaline and organic. Each type has its own wash, but there are also universal ones. For example: File 5, Anticras. Docker S4.
Important: When working with any chemistry, take safety precautions - wear a respirator, rubber gloves, and properly dispose of product residues.
Consistently, the application is necessarily indicated on the package, but usually the steps are approximately the same:
- To clear a surface covered with paint from dust, if necessary, make notches for better penetration.
- Dilute the composition (when working with concentrates and powders).
- Apply to walls, floor or ceiling. For best effect, cover with foil.
- Wait a certain time.
- Remove the coating with a spatula or chisel.
Homemade washing
You can do it yourself, here are some recipes:
- 250 ml of 10% ammonia, 1 liter of water, 2 kg of chalk. Mix thoroughly, apply evenly on the wall, wait 2 hours. Remove old paint.
- 100 g of soda ash, 300 g of quicklime, water. Dilute to the consistency of thick sour cream, apply for 12 hours, remove mechanically.
Home-made mixtures work on peeling or fresh coatings; strong or old ones are best removed mechanically or professionally.
Home iron
A simple option does not require professional tools, but will be effective only on low-quality coatings:
- Preheat the iron to maximum.
- Tear off a sheet of thick foil.
- Warm the wall through the foil.
- Remove material with a spatula or other sharp object.
What is the fastest way?
The fastest mechanical option is to use a drill or grinder. It is likely that it will be faster and easier to remove the enamel with a special wash, but the harm of the composition itself and its high price should be taken into account.
Always start the fight with old paint with an assessment: composition, coating under it and your own capabilities.
When to shoot
In past years, wall painting was popular in the design of kitchens and bathrooms. In modern times, the design includes beautiful patterns of tiles that can not be laid without cleaning the surface of old paint.
But there are situations when this is not necessary, for example, if the wall is subsequently sheathed with drywall. In other cases, the coating is removed, since it does not contribute to the adhesion (adhesion) of the material to adhesives, plasters and other building compounds.
Choosing a method for removing paint
When choosing a paint remover for walls, consider the following criteria.
- Type of dye - oil, acrylic or water based. If the type is unknown to you, then you will need to select the removal method, experimenting on a small area. You need to start with the least time-consuming methods. It is also important to know the number of layers and their adhesion to the wall.
- Painted surface material - concrete, wood, metal or drywall. For example, from uncoated concrete, oil paint is most difficult to peel off.
- Further front of work - painting, tile laying, etc.
- Event budget - to purchase special tools and devices.
- Ventilation option.
What is needed
Also the choice is influenced by the availability of the necessary tool. The following fixtures can be used:
- brush,
- personal protective equipment (respirator, goggles, rubber gloves, etc.),
- ax for notches,
- building hair dryer
- chisel,
- putty knife,
- roller
- iron scraper
- electric drill,
- Bulgarian,
- chemical agent for removing paint from walls,
- water.
Important! Before the procedure, cover the furniture and the floor with a film so that they are not covered with construction debris.
The use of chemicals
Removing paint from walls using chemical mixtures is carried out according to the instructions attached to the product. Prepare the solution, and spread it over the surface with a brush or roller.
Advice! Movements must be performed in only one direction.
Wait for the dye to soften. Remove it with the wash using one of the devices of your choice:
- putty knife,
- scraper,
- brush with a metal pile.
The advantage of the paint wash option: cleaning speed.
- a specific smell that does not weather for a long time,
- in addition to resistance, it is characterized by a high content of toxins,
- skin contact causes chemical burns,
- rather big cost
- Needs special disposal.
Important! If the surface has been painted several times, then the product from the first time will not remove the coating. Quickly remove the paint from the walls will not work, since applying the chemical composition will also need to be done repeatedly.
Follow the safety rules during the work - ventilate the room, use personal protective equipment. Allergy sufferers, children, pets and pregnant women are not allowed to attend. Make sure that the composition does not get on the skin. Wear protective clothing.
It is possible to clean the walls of old paint with other methods. If you need to work with a wooden floor, moisten the surface with water, and then cover it with soda ash. Make the layer thick so that it covers the entire area. Wet the burlap and cover the floor. Wait a day, constantly maintaining the wet condition of the material. At the end of the period, remove the layer using a spatula. This is done easily, as it will swell from dampness.
The next method is a mixture of potassium carbonate with lime. The first component can be replaced with soda ash. It will take 400 g. Stir this amount into 1.2 kg of quicklime and apply to the surface. Before cleaning the wall from the paint, wait 12 hours.
Another way is to use liquid glass. Lubricate the coating, let it dry and peel off the silicate film along with the exfoliated paint. You may need to repeat the procedure more than once.
Chemical cleaning is also suitable for the following types of dyes:
For a small area, you can use solvents.
Heat treatment
In this situation, a building hair dryer will help. Heat the surface until the dye softens. Next, you need to remove the paint from the wall, using a spatula or any other scraper. If a special hairdryer is not available, do not use a regular one. It is better to warm the coating with an iron, after covering it with a large sheet of foil. At the end of the work, wash the wall, clean up minor defects and wipe with a swab dipped in a solvent.
This method is suitable for those places where there should be no vibration and shock (where there are window frames, glazed doors, etc.). This method is not used where the wiring is located, or there are decorative elements that are damaged by exposure to high temperatures (for example, plastic).
The main disadvantage of the thermal method of cleaning walls from paint is the evaporation of toxic substances when it is heated, as well as the specific smell associated with it. Safety measures include work exclusively in ventilated areas. In addition, you need to use personal respiratory protection.
Types of mechanical methods for removing paint
This option is suitable for anyone who is worried about toxic emissions from other types of wall treatment when removing old paint. To do this, use a notch with an ax. The process has the following characteristics:
- lack of harm
- low cost
- not traumatic
- duration of work
- labor input.
The sequence of actions is as follows:
- make notches using a tool,
- sprinkle the painted surface with water,
- wait for it to soak
- tear off the old paint from the wall with an ax.
Important! If you choose the right angle of the blade, this will increase the efficiency of work, as well as the speed of its execution.
This option is suitable for difficultly ventilated rooms. It is used in small areas, since a lot of physical force is used for work. It is often used where tiles will be laid in the future, since the resulting unevenness contributes to better adhesion of materials.
Interesting! The surface is sprayed with water to reduce the amount of dust generated in the process.
To tear off the paint from the walls, if it has already begun to exfoliate from old age, you can use a spatula or a chisel. This is also a laborious method, but distinguished by cleanliness. It is suitable for wooden surfaces, as well as locations for sockets, skirting boards, pipes, etc. In the process, you must have an emery, which will be required for sharpening the tool.
Electromechanical method
This method is suitable for removing old paint from concrete walls, as it is characterized by high productivity, which facilitates the work. To do this, use a grinder with a wide grinding wheel with an abrasiveness of at least 40, but be prepared for the fact that a lot of dust will be generated in the process. After a minute of processing, you must wait 20 minutes for the dust to settle. Now on sale you can find models equipped with a vacuum cleaner, which facilitates the procedure and makes it cleaner.
Also, a nozzle created by the type of brush from cutting steel wire is used for work.
You can also take a hammer drill with special nozzles. There are two options for removing paint from walls in the bathroom and other rooms. In the first case, chains are taken as nozzles. This method is suitable for any surface - wood, metal or concrete.. It is characterized by efficiency and low cost. The same method removes rust.
To carry out the procedure, two types of chains are taken:
- paint remover
- configuration of 13 links.
Features of this tool for removing paint:
- link thickness must be at least 5 mm,
- the central link rotates 6 links on each side,
- the base is a 6 mm bolt,
- the drill should rotate to the left,
- After putting on the chain, tighten the nut firmly to maintain locking during operation.
If the extreme link flies off on one side, then the opposite link will also need to be removed so that there is a balance. Work continues until at least three links remain with each of them.
Important! When cleaning, paint from the walls will fly off in pieces, so you will need to protect the body from mechanical stress.
In the second method of working with a perforator, crowns on brick are used as nozzles.
The electromechanical method is rarely used on painted wood, as it is easy to damage the surface with a tool. To work, you need to have special skills.
Removal of water-based dye
In this situation, you can quickly remove the paint from the wall, since most of them are not waterproof. To do this, moisten the roller in warm water, and treat the surface. You can also use a soap solution. Leave it moist for 10 to 15 minutes, then clean the area with a spatula. Perhaps the procedure will need to be repeated, and even use a metal brush. If this does not help, then use the methods indicated to remove the oil dye.
Advice! Work on small areas to monitor their moisture.
Grinder or hammer drill
A very effective and versatile way to remove paint. Suitable for all paints and surfaces, with a limitation for wood. Woodworking requires great skills, as there you can easily spoil the surface.
A crown brush or a special crown on a brick (milling cutter) is used as a tool. There are also chains, but this is a very dangerous way - if a link flies off, then it can seriously injure a worker or those nearby.
The disadvantages of the mechanical method are very large amounts of toxic dust therefore it is necessary to work, at least, with a respirator and in goggles, as well as to produce continuous exhaust ventilation.
Now the market began to appear special tools for cleaning old paint, but they are not common enough.
Spatula or chisel
Least productive but the cleanest method. Ideal, or better said, indispensable when working near sockets, wiring, pipes, in corners, near baseboards, as well as on wooden surfaces.
A spatula removes layers of paint that do not hold well on the surface, and the chisel helps in places where the paint is held firmly. For this cleaning method very it’s good to have emery on hand, for sharpening a tool that quickly dulls on stone surfaces.
Number 8. Blowtorch method
Sometimes apply a blowtorch. Or in other words, a burner that runs on kerosene or gasoline vapor. One liter of fuel on average is enough for continuous operation for 20-50 minutes. The flame must be brought as close to the paint as possible and carefully watched. When the paint begins to melt, but does not burn, you can scrape it off the wall.
All thermal methods required accompanied by a sharp and unpleasant smell which appears during the heating of the paint. Therefore, it is strongly not recommended to work in unventilated rooms. Also by no means not allowed to warm places where electric wires pass or those where there are wooden mortgages in the wall.
Acrylic Removal
A metal brush and a coarse-grained sandpaper are suitable for removing acrylic paint. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. If the purchased paint is of high quality, then it will be more difficult to remove it. If a simple method does not work, then use the instructions to remove the oil dye.
Advice! If in the future it is planned to paint the surface covered with acrylic paint with the same material, then the previous layer can not be removed if it has retained its smoothness.
Ax and water
This method is one of the easiest and most safe. His only flaw is that he requires considerable muscular strength. Although each hit with an ax requires little effort, however, thousands of such hits have to be made and untrained hands will quickly get tired.
An ax is applied to small, but closely spaced notches, between which the paint cracks and falls off. Water is used to reduce dust, as a result, dust is completely absent. This surface preparation is very suitable for subsequent plastering.
Using a hair dryer
This method resembles a burning method. But here, the paint is heated at a lower temperature than the open flame gives, heating acts more locally due to the nozzle of a hairdryer and this method can sometimes be one of the best.
Less harmful substances are released, but they should not be forgotten in any case. And use either frequent ventilation or a gas mask.
A layer of intumescent paint is removed with a spatula. Then surface washed, cleaned up minor defects and wipe with a swab with a small amount of solvent.
How to choose a suitable method?
Choose a method of cleaning walls from old paint should for several reasons:
- wall material
- type of old paint
- ventilation options
- agreement with neighbors on noise, time of work, etc.,
- tools available
- affordable budget.
Such a tablet will help:
| Wall material | Water emulsion | Acrylic | Oil |
| Concrete | Hmt | Hmt | MT |
| Plaster | Hmt | Hmt | MT |
| Brick | XM | XM | M |
| Tree | XM | XM | M |
X - chem. M - mechanical T - term. cleaning methods.
When choosing a cleaning method, priority must be given safety work for people because the lost health cannot be returned for any money, and work with paint, especially unprofessional, can be very harmful.
Removing oil paint from a concrete wall
Concrete surfaces from oil paint applied by conscientious professionals, hard to clean.
The reason for this is very simple - professional painters thoroughly clean surfaces from dust before painting.
In residential premises, concrete is necessarily plastered (if the builders work in good faith). In any case, in housing better to do without chemical methods - in practice, they can be unbearable, especially in apartment buildings.
Vapors of many solvents are heavier than air and they will definitely go to the lower floors, which will cause great (and legitimate) discontent among neighbors.
You can start with an attempt to act on the paint with a strong solution of soda ash. For the sample, wipe with such a warm solution of about 1 square. surface meter. Hands should be in rubber gloves!
After a few hours, you can try again. And then just compare, scraping the former under the soda and any other, on which the soda solution was not affected. It may turn out that soda has significantly softened the old paint.
This will facilitate its removal by 30-70%. If so, all surfaces can be treated. Cheap and cheerful.
If the effect of soda is not detected, then go to mechanical cleaning, choosing a suitable tool for each plot.
Mechanical cleaning
We start from any place, as it will be convenient. Grinder or drill with brush work easierthan an ax or a chisel and you need to start with this.
Here you must wear a respirator. It will be very useful to wipe the treated area with a damp cloth - this may sharply reduce the amount of dust, although dust, of course, will appear.
We work with 220 V power tools, our tool must be grounded according to the rules of the three-wire cord and it should be carefully protected from moisture.
Therefore, moisten the surface so that moisture did not touch the grinder or drill. It is better to charge the assistant. Do not touch the power tool with wet hands! Hands should be in dry gloves or mittens, but they should not slip.
When working with a drill, a crown cutter or brush can be strengthened not in the cartridge itself, but with the help of a small extension rod. it It will save the drill gear from dust getting there.
Dust, despite the fact that the engine fan blows air out, anyway, it gets into the drill and spoils the mechanism. But, it will work a little harder physically.
In inaccessible places: near sockets, switches and other similar ones, the paint must be removed with a sharp chisel, grinding her from time to time. Work there goes on a small area and it will be easy.
If the surface is not supposed to be plastered, then finishing can be done. to make with a rough sandpaper, and then putty the bumps.
The easiest way is when the surface is plastered, in this case, rough roughnesses (notches) of the surface will only benefit - the plaster will hold firmly. This is especially good for subsequent tile laying.
After cleaning, wipe all surfaces, clean the floor with a vacuum cleaner and also wipe. Do not forget that dust components: silicates and oil paint pigment contain very toxic substancesdifficult to remove from the body.
Watch in this video how to remove old oil paint from the walls:
4 comments
It is unfortunate that this article did not catch my eye literally a week earlier. How much my husband and I tormented by picking up old paint from the wall with a spatula and knife. To be honest, they had no idea that there are special tools for this. Or at least a way with water and an ax - I also liked it.
Use strong alkalis or other solvents - so-so methods for ordinary people. They kill health faster than you have time to clear half of the wall. Here either a spatula and a chisel, or call builders with equipment, there is no other way to imagine.
I just can’t understand one thing ... why Soviet wallpapers stuck tightly to these oil paints. I hesitated to rip them off in the five-meter hallway .. I got it all the same ... I think, well, thank God ... yeah, now ... I wanted to cover with liquid wallpaper, you can’t .. they don’t lie on the paint .. read the article and in quiet horror ... you can’t chemistry with a puncher and an ax - not for me .. the wizard takes a lot of money (and actually I understand it), and if you close it with drywall, then from the 5-meter hallway there will be 3-meter ... what to do then ??
Yes .. some girls write comments ... this is our headache)))
Is this possible at all, and in what ways?
It would seem that there should be some simple secret or life hack that will solve the problem in the shortest possible time. Unfortunately, even professionals agree that a lot of effort will have to be made to solve the problem.
However, with due persistence, this can be done independently. Especially if you take the advice of those who have extensive experience in this matter. Experts identify several methods of removing paint from the walls:
Each of these methods has its pros and cons, therefore, in order to know which one should be preferred, you need to consider them separately.
Manual way to remove old paint
This option is good in cases where the layer is not too thick. In most cases, it is enough to arm yourself:
All you need to do is scrape off the old layer. When the first depression is formed, you can simply pry off the old layer with a tool and remove it in whole pieces, although this is not always possible.
In “light” places, you can do with a spatula or scraper, more complex ones will require a chisel, but the principle of operation remains approximately the same.
There is an old way that was used in the old days. True, by modern standards, he will require fairly, but our great-grandfathers were not afraid of this. In this case, the paint is removed with an ax and water. Moreover, the latter is needed solely to make the process not so dusty. By the way, even in the modern world, this method continues to be one of the safest and most effective.
Thermal and electromechanical methods for removing old paint
Quite effective methods for solving the problem, the only drawback of which is the need for special tools and strict observance of safety measures, ignoring which is fraught with injuries and other health-related risks (special attention should be paid to protecting the eyes and hands).
1. Angle grinder. A good option (like a hammer drill or electric drill) for working with hard surfaces. For successful work, you need a special nozzle for removing paint. Only an experienced craftsman can clean a soft surface (for example, wood) in this way, so most of them should not even try to do it. But when working with concrete walls, this method is very good!
2. Burning old paint. A very popular way for those who know how to work with fire. It is especially good when working with non-combustible materials. Only a gas burner is required, which should be used to burn the paint. When the treated area becomes dark or black, it should be cleaned to a light layer with a wire brush or scraper.
3. Removing old paint with a building hairdryer. In principle, it is a subspecies of burning out, but in this case the temperature will be lower, which on the one hand makes the work longer, but on the other hand it can be used when working with materials that are more sensitive to the effects of temperatures (for example, wood).
It is important to note that options with burning and a hairdryer pose a certain danger, since during combustion and heating various substances are released into the air, a significant part of which can be toxic. Therefore, a gas mask or at least a respirator are required. By the way, the option with a hairdryer is safer than burning.
Removing old paint with chemicals
The old method, which was once limited solely to working with solvent. However, since then, manufacturers have significantly expanded their product range, which can now be used to remove both fresh and old paint.
Again, when working with chemicals, you should remember about safety, so that, together with the paint, you do not remove your own health.
1. The old method. In this case, use a solvent. Not bad for removing acrylics, polymers and nitro paints. The disadvantage of this method is intense evaporation and almost complete impotence before oil paints.
2. New method. In this case, special means for washing off the paint are used. They are sold in construction stores, and they have a more powerful effect than a simple solvent (however, its strong analogue is also part of these funds). By the way, the vapors from such washes are somewhat less dangerous than from a pure solvent.
The disadvantage of chemical methods of removing paint can be called a low speed of work with a high number of fumes. And the funds themselves will be spent quite intensively. Simply put, to clean the paint from an entire wall or floor, it is better to use other methods - it will be faster and safer.
Which option to remove old paint to choose?
When choosing one or another method of removing paint, you should pay attention to the following factors:
· Type of paint removed, its layer and age,
· The presence / absence of high-quality ventilation in the room,
In addition, it should be remembered that there may be neighbors nearby. Some paint removers are quite noisy, and chemicals can be a tough test for noses in the neighborhood. You can use the following recommendations that will tell you which methods are most effective when working with a particular type of paint applied to a particular surface.
As can be seen from the above, the most problematic is the coating with oil paint, which reacts only to the thermal method of exposure, electromechanical and manual. Chemistry in this case will almost certainly turn into wasted money and wasted time.
As for the manual method, it can be called the simplest, cheapest and applicable to almost all surfaces, with the exception of delicate ones. The only thing you have to put up with in this case is the need to make some physical effort.
Eliminate old oil paint: expert advice
A feature of oil paint is that it exfoliates with tiny pieces that look more like crumbs. This is especially true for very old coatings laid in several layers. Trying to wash it off with a solvent is not even worth trying, and electromechanics does not always help. But the manual (or semi-manual) method to handle is quite real.
1. Prepare a strong solution of soda ash.
2. To process with a solution a small section of the wall (twice if necessary).
3. If it was not possible to remove the coating (as a rule, this is the case), paint residues are removed manually or by electromechanical means.
4. If the wall cleared of paint will not be plastered, its surface must be treated with sandpaper or a grinder. Otherwise, sanding is more likely to hurt, because the plaster will hold better on uneven walls.
· The areas near sockets and switches should be processed only manually and only with small tools (ax excluded).
· After using any liquids, electrical appliances may only be approached with dry hands.
· Work with soda ash only with rubber gloves.
· Rubber gloves will not be superfluous when working with a grinder and other electrical appliances.
· Removing paint often leads to severe dusting of the room. It is important to remember that electrical appliances that are worth protecting are also exposed to it.
What not to do
The following products are not recommended for the dismantling of paint:
- thermal method using open flame - too flammable,
- chemical flushing - not used in unventilated rooms.
Regardless of the choice of method of cleaning walls from paint, do not forget to use personal protective equipment. In any process, you will be affected by the following negative factors:
- dust,
- toxic substances
- fine particles flying away.
The most important thing to protect is the respiratory and visual organs.
Essential tool
As already mentioned, you can remove old wallpaper from the walls with a meager set of tools. Everyone knows that you can’t do without a spatula, because he is the first on the list. Speaking of the spatula - it is highly advisable to prepare it for him to perform tasks not intended - to sharpen the work area. So, an exhaustive list of tools:
- Putty knife,
- Water sprayer,
- Sponge, rags,
- A stack of newspapers,
- Polyethylene film,
- Wide double sided tape
- Stationery knife,
- Steam iron
- Drill with wire brush
This is the most affordable list of necessary to complete the dismantling of wallpaper. Some items can be replaced with more specialized devices, for work, which will be discussed later.
Preparatory work
First you need to understand that applying new paintings to old ones is an unacceptable action. The result will be impractical, ugly, not hygienic, and here's why:
- The new layer will take the form of the old surface and after drying it will repeat its entire texture - pits and tubercles, depressions in places where there was no coating,
- Under the old layers there are always places in which there is no contact, that is, these places are empty. After applying a new layer, the likelihood of mold in such areas increases, which is dangerous for health, especially in children's bedrooms,
- In places where the old layers held well, the new ones also stick well, even better than on a bare wall. But at the same time, there will be no contact with the wall in those areas where it was not previously.
To prepare for the removal of old wallpaper, you need to free up space in the room. To do this, move the furniture to other rooms as much as possible, and move the remaining bulky furniture in the center. Thus, near the walls should appear free 1.5 - 2 meters.
It is recommended to spread newspapers on the floor, since the work will be wet and there is a high probability of sticking pieces of paper to the floor, followed by drying. It is advisable to cover the furniture remaining in the room with plastic wrap for the same reasons.
If the apartment is old enough, then it is advisable to carry out work in daylight and with disconnected electricity (you need to turn off the machine). Using water and old bare wiring can play a trick. Still need to remove all the switches and sockets, which adds to the danger.
Removal of wallpaper is closely related to the type of coating on which they are applied and their appearance, which can be: paper (classic), vinyl, textile, velor, non-woven.
Paper wallpaper
Removing old paper wallpaper often has to be done in the repair of apartments built in the Soviet era. Often there are several layers of paper coatings, talking either about the laziness of the former owners, or about the strength of the old means for pasting. The low strength and thickness of such a coating is also not its plus - this option is not easy to tear off with large rags. In view of all of the above, removing old wallpaper made from paper is more difficult than making it from other materials.
There are several ways to remove paper webs:
- Use warm water mixed with vinegar, soda and washing powder to soften. This composition must be applied to the wall using a spray or sponge.But for this, first make cuts with a clerical knife (extend the blade 1 division to avoid injuries). Do not wet the entire wall at once, as further work will take a lot of time and some areas will have time to dry. Soak the moistened area for 20 minutes, allowing the composition to soak the paper through. Then start ripping off the wallpaper.
- Use a special remover to soften. There are many such liquids sold in hardware stores for all types. They are better than a home-made composition, penetrate through the pores and better prepare the surface for dismantling. The product is diluted in warm water in the proportions specified in the instructions and applied to the wall. The composition not only penetrates better, but also dissolves the old glue. After 5 - 7 minutes, the canvas should easily give in.
- Steam the surface of the wall, for which use an iron with steam function. It is even more convenient to do this with a steamer, steam generator or a special mop.
- An option for the extreme, most difficult case, when a paper sheet was glued to the conscience with PVA glue. It used to be one of the most affordable options. Since this glue is waterproof, you will have to work manually, almost on a dry one. You can use the brush head (metal) on the drill. In this case, the work will be dusty - care must be taken to protect the respiratory system and vision.
Vinyl wallpapers
With this type of decor, the situation is much simpler. This view is made of a layer of vinyl deposited on a layer of paper. The paper layer is glued to the wall. Since the tool with which these two layers are bonded have nothing to do with wallpaper glue, it is necessary to use the tool to remove such a coating. Although warm water is suitable here.
How to tear off the wallpaper from the wall? First of all, incisions are made along the entire perimeter (or processed with a special roller with needles). Then the product is applied and after 7-10 minutes you can slowly remove the whole canvas, grabbing it from above. The tool does not damage the interlayer glue, because the top, vinyl, layer will help remove the whole sheet without breaking.
If, after removal, small areas with an unremovable paper layer still remain, then it should be removed mechanically with a spatula, wetting this place with water.
Velor and non-woven wallpaper
Quickly remove the old wallpaper velor and non-woven type can be on the same principle as vinyl. Their structure is identical, the difference is only in the material of the upper layer. Therefore, cutting or applying holes in the upper layer, using special equipment and a spatula is the right way to clean the wall of old wallpaper.
Textile wallpaper
Textile view is a two-layer version in which the top layer is made of textile, the bottom is made of paper. Since textiles are a fairly porous material, there will be no problems with the penetration of the product. How to clean the wall of this type of wallpaper? First, you should try to remove the canvas by simply pulling it at the bottom corner. Most likely, the upper layer can easily be separated from the lower one, which then needs to be dealt with like paper wallpaper.
Washable coating
There is such a thing as “washable wallpaper”. They are not a separate type of coating. Such a definition only speaks of their degree of protection against moisture. On the packaging of such rolls there is an icon in the form of wavy lines - from one to three. The vinyl type is most washable, but some paper types are not without this quality. Knowing how to tear off a vinyl-type wallpaper, there will be no difficulty in removing and washable.
Drywall Removal
Dismantling wallpaper from drywall sheets - the task "with an asterisk". The thing is that the top layer of drywall is made of paper. It is not difficult to understand that the surfaces of wallpaper and walls made of paper are glued with a dead grip. How to remove wallpaper from a drywall wall? In this case, it is only necessary to use a remover, since there should not be any effect on the wall. After application, work should be done carefully so as not to damage the drywall sheet. Well, if the coatings are glued tightly (possibly to PVA or similar glue), then based on the appearance of the drywall sheet after removing the coating from it, it is better to conclude the feasibility of further peeling. You may have to replace the sheets with new ones.
Wallpaper for painting
If the coating is made of special wallpapers that can be painted, then asking yourself “how to tear off the wallpaper” may not be necessary. This look can be easily "updated", for which there are special paints. How to paint old wallpaper? First of all, we need to evaluate their condition: if the painting is enough to update the interior, then you only need the paint of the desired color and a roller. Painting is done exclusively on a dry surface!
Armed with theory, the question of “how to remove old wallpapers” will only be a matter of time. Removing old layers is not difficult if you get creative. In this process, it is better to leave barbaric methods as a last resort. Modern chemicals and various devices facilitate the fate of the owner and speed things up at times.
No. 9. Ready paint remover
The time interval is always indicated on the packaging, as well as recommendations for use, which we advise to adhere to in strict order.
- All chemicals have pungent odors and are highly aggressive. Be sure to work with gloves and a respirator, and for the duration of the solution it is better to leave the apartment completely, opening the windows for ventilation,
- Also, after finishing work, you can’t just take and pour the remaining solution into the sewer. Chemicals are very corrosive and should disposed of properly. This is also mentioned on the packaging or in the instructions,
- Can scare away and cost such tools, but believe me, after you try to remove the paint with a spatula, ax or grinder and none of the above will give the desired result, you will not want to save. Often, one liter of solution is enough to remove paint from the walls of the bathroom and toilet in standard sizes,
- Pay attention to the fact that some formulations may be intended for use only on horizontal surfaces.
IN component dependent Basics ready-made compounds are:
- Acidic - based on hydrochloric or phosphoric acid,
- Alkaline - based on salts of various origin,
- Organic - which do not contain salts or acids.
To remove old paint from a stone surface most suitable acid-free compounds are considered.
According to the form of release solutions can be in the form of:
- Liquids - alkaline or acid concentrates to be diluted,
- Gels - have a milder effect and are available on the basis of organic compounds. More convenient for indoor use, as they do not have such a pungent odor,
- Powders - used both in the form of solutions and independently,
- Aerosol - designed to work with small areas and are very convenient.
To choose the composition for a certain type of paint is not difficult. In order not to make a mistake in choosing a wash, better to buy universal solutions that are suitable for removing paints of any type. For example:
- Flushing Fail 5 - It is designed specifically to remove old paint and dissolves even powder formulations. It begins to act a few minutes after application. You will see how the old coating begins to become covered with small cracks,
- "Anticras" - a universal high-speed wash suitable for removing paint not only from walls, but also from the floor, stream, metal, wood, plastic,
- "Docker S4 "is a general construction wash used to remove all types of paintwork.
No. 10. How to make a do-it-yourself wash?
Still, you can try to save and prepare a wash for paint independently:
- It is necessary to mix 250 ml of ammonia with a liter of cold water. Alcohol should be 10%. In the resulting liquid, you need to add 2 kg of ordinary chalk and mix thoroughly until a pasty mixture is formed without lumps. The resulting slurry is applied to the wall in an even layer. After a couple of hours, you can begin to remove the paint. A similar composition should not destroy the paint layer itself, but violate the strength of its adhesion to the base material,
- Another popular method is to mix 1.2 kg of quicklime with 400 g of soda ash, then add water. The mixture should resemble thick sour cream in consistency. It is applied to the wall for a minimum of 12 hours,
- You can use liquid glass. It is applied in a thin layer over old paint. After drying, a thin silicate film forms, which should peel off with the paint.
Typically, the above methods do a good job of either removing the recently applied or decrepit coating. For strong layers of paint, it is better to use ready-made, special washes.
Wash technology
When the choice of the right remedy is made, it’s time to deal with the right technology him application:
- For the most effective and deep penetration of the reagent into the layer of old paint, the surface must be rid of dust and other contaminants. You can wash the walls using household chemicals, and then rub them with a stiff brush or coarse sandpaper,
- Now apply the chemical composition itself. This should be done with a wide brush or roller. Do not wet them too much so that the product drains or drips onto the floor. It’s better to move in one direction
- So that the reagent does not so quickly evaporate from the surface and manage to exert a proper effect on it, it is possible to cover the surface with a film. Doing this, of course, is necessary with gloves on,
- After the recommended time, remove the film and remove the paint,
- In the end, you need to wash off the reagent from the wall and neutralize its effect. Recommendations on this subject must indicate the manufacturer.
That's all, your walls are ready for further transformation. If one of the above methods does not give a full effect, try combining it with other methods. By and large, they are all suitable for removing any kind of paint.
