The best ways to quickly remove old paint from the walls with your own hands
In the past, many people used paint to cover the surface of toilet or bathroom walls. Over time, old paint begins to peel off and needs to be removed. Therefore, it is recommended to determine in advance how to remove old paint from the walls and what tools to use for this.
In what cases is old paint not an obstacle
There are several cases in which it is not necessary to remove the old paint from the surface:
- Alignment of walls with plasterboard. Plasterboards can be placed on the painted surface.
- Coating with plastic panels. If it is necessary to cover a part with plastic, the paint does not come off.
- Re-coloring. If the painted surface does not peel off, a new layer of paint is applied over the old one.
Method Selection Criteria
Before starting work, you should familiarize yourself with the criteria for choosing a method for removing a dried layer of paint.
Budget
The first thing to look at is the budget. The choice of method for cleaning the surface of the walls largely depends on financial capabilities.Some of them require financial costs. However, there are also more economical and practically inexpensive ways.
Time
The next criterion for choosing an appropriate technique is working time. The longest part is removing the old coating by hand with a spatula.
If you do not want to spend a lot of time at work, it is better to get special corrosive chemical compounds in advance.
Base type
The choice of an appropriate method depends on the type of support on which the paint is applied.
Plaster
Most often people paint plaster surfaces, which are not recommended to be cleaned by mechanical methods. Therefore, for this, special tools are used that can corrode old paint. This will make cleaning easier.
Cement
Cement surfaces are considered more reliable and can therefore be cleaned mechanically. To do this, use fine sandpaper or a special grinding wheel.
Brick
If the paint is applied to a brick surface, you can use a drill equipped with special attachments. Drill paint pickers consist of a brush, a crown type head and links. Such accessories will help to remove the painted coating without damaging the wall.
Concrete
Most often, the concrete surface is cleaned with a chisel and hammer. This method is suitable if you need to get rid of a thick layer of paint that has formed over the years. You can also use an ax or spatula.
Kind of paint
When choosing a method of cleaning the coating, the type of paint material is taken into account.
Acrylic
To remove acrylic compounds, the following means are used:
- Sharp devices.These include spatulas, knives and scissors. Such products are suitable for cleaning a wooden surface.
- Hot liquid. A thin layer of acrylic can be easily washed off with warm water.
water-based
The following devices will help get rid of the water-based coating:
- Putty Knife. This is a versatile tool that can be used to remove almost any paint.
- Iron brush. If the painted coating is dry, a wire brush will help remove it.
Oil
Surfaces treated with oily formulations are cleaned with:
- Scraper. Outwardly, this tool resembles a spatula. However, it is slightly stiffer, which makes paint stripping easier.
- Sandpaper. If you need to clean a small area, use sandpaper.
Enamel paint is removed using the following tools:
- Special solutions. Enamel paint can be washed off well with formulations such as Abbeizer and Dufa.
- Brush. Such a device is used when cleaning an iron product.
Number of layers
The choice of cleaning method depends on the number of coats of paint. For example, mechanical means are used to remove a thick layer. Rinse solutions are used when a thin layer of paint needs to be removed.
Basic methods for removing paint
There are three ways to quickly clean paint marks from the surface.
Mechanical
Most often, people use mechanical cleaning devices.
putty knife
Sometimes the walls are cleaned with a construction trowel. Before using the tool, the surface of the wall is sprinkled with water. When the moisture has been absorbed, the wet coating is gently scraped off with a spatula.
Chisel and hammer
To peel off old paint, you need to use a hammer and chisel.The tool is placed on the surface at an acute angle, after which it is struck with a hammer. These steps are repeated until the wall is completely cleaned.
Ax or pickaxe
A pickaxe with a small ax will help clean up the old coat of paint. When cleaning with an axe, gently strike the coating to make nicks. Then the peeling paint is cleaned with a pickaxe.
Drill with various accessories
Sometimes people don't want to use hand tools and use power tools instead. Often, together with a drill, a metal brush is used, which removes both thin and thick layers of paint. Working with a drill in a respirator to protect the respiratory system from dust.
Bulgarian
A grinder will help loosen old and dried paint. When working with this tool, accessories are used for cleaning metal, grinding and processing bricks.
Thermal
If mechanical methods are not suitable, thermal methods can be used instead.
Iron
A regular iron with foil will help clean the wall from traces of paint. The material is applied to the surface, after which a heated iron is passed over it. Then the peeling paint is carefully removed with a spatula.
Construction site hair dryer
It is one of the most commonly used paint residues. With the help of a construction hair dryer, you can even get rid of a dried up perennial coat. The hot air from the tool helps to chip the paint and loosen it.
torch
It is used as an alternative to the building hair dryer. Use a blowtorch with care, as this tool can accidentally destroy the surface of the wall.
Chemical products
Several chemicals are applied to the paint and cause it to flake.
Ready-to-use formulas
Most often, ready-made cleaning compounds are used to clean the walls.
Based on
Chemicals differ in their essence.
Acid
Acidic chemicals are popular, with which you can quickly clean the wall. They are made on the basis of phosphoric acid and hydrochloric acid. The advantages of such substances include the fact that they corrode any type of paint.
Alkaline
The second most popular are alkaline agents. Unlike acids, it was not acids that were used in their creation, but salts.
However, this does not compromise the effectiveness of alkaline products, as they also quickly remove paint from walls.
Organic
Organic compounds are considered the safest, as they do not use salts or acids in their manufacture. Such products are used to clean a thin layer of paint. Organic liquids are not suitable for removing old coatings.
By release form
Another distinctive criterion of chemicals is the form of release.
Liquid
Most people use liquid products. Chemical preparations of the acid or alkaline type are sold in liquid form. Before using such solutions, they must be mixed with water so that they become less toxic.
Freeze
If you need to use milder formulations, you should use gels. They are made from safer and less toxic organic compounds. Experts advise using gels inside.
Powder
Some manufacturers produce chemicals in powder form. To prepare a working solution for the treatment of walls, the powder is mixed with warm water.
Aerosol
If you need to treat a small area, you can use aerosol products. They are sprayed evenly on the painted coatings, after which the peeling paint is cleaned with a spatula.
Review of popular brands
There are three popular brands that are most commonly used for wall cleaning.
Fail-5
It is a powder formulation designed to remove old paint coatings. The advantages of "Fail-5" include its speed of action, since the effect of using the drug becomes noticeable five minutes after application.
"Antikras"
A fast-acting universal drug that is versatile. It is used to get rid of paint on wooden, iron, tile and even plastic walls and floors.
Docker s4
It is a popular construction remover that is used to remove varnish. It is produced in the form of a liquid which is sprayed on the surface of the floor or walls.
How to do a wash with your own hands
Some do not want to buy ready-made chemical washing products and make them themselves.
Water, alcohol and chalk
A solution of chalk, alcohol and water will help remove paint particles. 300 milliliters of alcohol and 1500 grams of chalk are added to one liter of liquid. Everything is thoroughly mixed until a pasty composition is obtained. The resulting suspension is evenly distributed on the wall.
Lime and soda
To prepare this mixture, one and a half kilograms of lime are mixed with 550 grams of soda and water. The mixture is applied to the wall and left for 10-14 hours.
liquid glass
You can get rid of stains with liquid glass. It is spread on the painted surface.
When a film forms on the site of application, it is cleaned with a spatula.
How to use nail polish remover correctly
Before using the remover, the surface is thoroughly cleaned of dust and dirt. Then a stripper is applied to the cleaned coating. When it dries, it is removed mechanically.
Work safety
When doing work, you need to think about safety. Chemicals should be applied with rubber gloves, goggles and a respirator. Upon completion of work, protective clothing and equipment should be washed to remove any chemical residue.
Tips and tricks from experienced craftsmen
To quickly clean the wall of the kitchen and other rooms, you should adhere to the following recommendations and tips:
- an old layer of paint must be removed with a spatula or a drill with nozzles;
- paint cleaned with chemical compounds is immediately removed;
- before using chemicals, read the instructions for use.
Conclusion
Some difficulties may arise when cleaning painted surfaces. Therefore, you need to familiarize yourself with effective ways to clean walls and floors from old paint.