The best ways to wash water-based paint from the ceiling
To decorate rooms in an apartment or a private house, a water-based coating is often used. With subsequent repairs and changes to interior design, the question may arise of how to properly clean water-based paint from the ceiling without leaving streaks. To choose the appropriate removal option, one should explore all possible methods and their nuances.
Varieties of water paints and their characteristics
Water-based paints are classified into several categories. The sign by which several types of coatings are distinguished is the polymer used in production.
Acrylic
This type is the most common. Acrylic resin is used as the basic component for production. Latex is often included to provide additional protection against liquid exposure. The main advantages of acrylic paints are:
- the ability to hide small defects in the ceiling and walls when covered with a double layer of material with a latex filler;
- good adhesion to any type of surface;
- no pungent smell and safe to use;
- quick drying after application.
Silicone
By analogy with the aqueous acrylic emulsion, silicone resins are present in the structure of silicone coatings. This option is suitable for all mineral surfaces and removes defects up to 2 mm. Due to its special consistency, the coating can be applied to damp and moisture-prone surfaces without fear of the spread of fungus.
Silicate
Silicate paint is a combination of an aqueous solution and water glass with the addition of pigments of different colors. The coating has good air and vapor permeability, as well as resistance to temperature changes. The applied material is fixed on the surface and does not lose its original shade for several decades.
Mineral
An important component in the structure of mineral paints is cement or hydrated lime. Most often, the material is used for working with brick and concrete surfaces. One of the advantages of a mineral water-based coating is the possibility of using it indoors, since no pungent odor is emitted during use. In addition, the coating is very durable, resistant to grease and moisture.
How to prepare the ceiling for cleaning
After planning the removal of the old layer of material, it is important to properly prepare the surface. In addition, you will need to arm yourself with a set of tools and materials at hand.
Preparation of the room
The main task is to prepare the premises in which the work will be carried out. First, all furniture and interior items are removed from the room to avoid contamination.If large pieces of furniture cannot be removed, it is recommended to cover them with thick plastic wrap.During the work, the remaining pieces of furniture will need to be partially pushed aside in order to remove the coating from the entire surface of the ceiling. In addition to furniture, they cover door and window openings, thresholds, window sills.
Selection of tools and materials
When preparing the inventory, start with protective equipment. Since when you remove the paint it will crumble and fall on your face, you need to wear goggles. Gloves and any headgear will also come in handy. Among the tools you will need:
- a set of spatulas of different sizes;
- ladder;
- paint brushes;
- rubber roller.
How to wash
There are several ways to directly wash off the applied paint. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the technology to realize all the options and choose the right one, taking into account the available possibilities and your own wishes.
Hot water
The basic and easy-to-use method is to soak the liner in warm water. To do this, moisten the rubber roller and moisten the entire surface of the ceiling. For convenience, it is worth using a roller with an oblong handle. The coating is moistened several times to absorb moisture, after which it is left for 15-20 minutes.
When the paint swells, it must be removed with a spatula. In order not to destroy the plaster and the surface of the concrete slab, the roller is held at the sharpest possible angle to the ceiling. High moisture resistant areas can be re-moistened during work.
Newspapers
This method will require a stepladder and a large number of unnecessary logs. Glue is applied to the painted ceiling, which is suitable for water-based paint, then newspapers are applied to the entire surface and wait for it to dry. After complete drying, the paint impregnated with glue peels off with the newspapers. Areas that have not had time to soak will again need to be covered with newspaper.
Thermal method
Using the thermal method, you can remove any type of water emulsion. To do this, the paint is heated with a building hair dryer or a high-temperature blowtorch until the material becomes soft and elastic. Then it remains to remove the coating with a spatula, gently lifting off the peeling pieces.
Using the thermal method, it is imperative to ventilate the room.
Stripping
Cleaning is carried out using a manual grinder or a special attachment on the grinder. Instead of a grinder, it is also allowed to use a drill. The tool is passed over the entire surface of the ceiling to completely remove the old paint. Beforehand, be sure to put on a respirator and cover all the furniture in the room.
Chemical products
Among the chemicals, there are a number of compounds that strip away old paint. When choosing a product, you need to make sure that it is intended for internal work, since other options have a higher toxicity indicator. The acquired composition is applied to the surface, wait 15-20 minutes and remove the remaining paint with a spatula.
Electromechanical
According to the principle of execution, the electromechanical method is similar to pickling. To remove old paint, use a belt sander with a suitable accessory and sand the entire surface.The advantages of the electromechanical method include a high-quality result and the absence of the need for secondary grouting. It is important to take into account that a large amount of dust is generated during work, so you should use a protective mask and open windows for ventilation.
Iodine
Thanks to its special composition, a solution of 200 ml of iodine in a bucket of water makes it easy to remove paint from the ceiling. The entire surface is treated with the solution and left to wait for about 30 minutes. During this period, the liquid will penetrate into the depth of the material and make it softer. To remove residue, simply use an appropriately sized trowel.
Soap solution
The water-based coating is also treated with soapy water and then removed with a soft cloth. If you want to clean a resistant type of paint, add alcohol or chloroform components to the solution.
Common Mistakes
When removing water-based paint from the ceiling, many make mistakes due to inattention or non-compliance with standard rules. The most common errors include:
- an attempt to wash the coating off with cold water, to which most types of water-based paint are immune;
- refusal to use a mask and protective gloves, which leads to health problems;
- removal of the coating with special means without taking into account the type of paint applied, which does not allow to achieve the desired result or requires a lot of effort;
- treatment of the coating with unsuitable substances that lead to the formation of defects and stains on the ceiling.
Additional tips and tricks
To remove water-based oil paint without leaving streaks and damage to the coating, it is recommended to consider additional nuances. In particular, you should try different cleaning methods if one of the options did not lead to the desired result. When using chemicals, it is important to select solutions taking into account the type of surface to be treated.