Everything You Need To Know About Removing Paint From Walls
So you are wondering how to remove paint from walls, huh? Trust us; it is not that difficult of a task. All you are going to need is proper equipment and technique, and you are good to go. This guide will provide all the help you need to learn to clean walls like an expert.
Whether you wish to switch a color choice or make a mistake, you can easily strip off the paint. There are several different methods you get to choose from here. You can either use specialized equipment like a paint stripper and use a scraper. Besides that, you can make a homemade solution to take the color off the walls. Deciding on a method depends on your budget, the type of wall, and the paint. Once you have this figured out and get your equipment ready, you can start. So scroll through to learn how to get color off the walls and make it look better than ever!
How To Remove Paint From Walls
As we said earlier, there is more than one way to remove paint from walls. However, before we get into that, you need to prepare the room for the process.
Getting paint off walls is easy but can be messy. That is why you need to protect the surroundings and your belongings. Protect your belongings, so they do not get damaged.
For example, if you have any wallpapers or pictures hanging on the walls, set them aside. Also, move the nearby furniture away from the work area. Better yet, if you covered it using a plastic sheet after you moved it.
Next, lay down drop cloths and old newspapers on the floor around the walls. Cover your skirting boards up too, which would help if you are going to use chemicals. That way, the chemicals will not drip down and damage the finish. Remove all furniture and cover the floor. Remember that chemical paint strippers will eat through anything and everything. So move furniture to a separate room while you are removing the paint.
Protect your floors
To protect your floors, you will need a large sheet of plastic and another large sheet of kraft paper.
Place a sheet of plastic from the base of the wall across the floor. Then, layer a sheet of kraft paper on top of it. If some of the chemicals fall on the floor, this layer will protect your floor.
Now your home and surroundings are safe. However, protecting your home is not where the preparation ends. Your safety comes first. Chemical paint strippers can be harmful to your health if you do not take safety measures. The formulas can be dangerously potent, and you have to follow precautions when working with them. Removing paint by any method can create lots of dust or fumes that can be pretty dangerous when inhaled.
In that case, remember to get yourself some proper safety equipment. Additionally, wear old clothes that you do not mind getting damaged.
Also, make sure to keep several windows open while you are working. It is essential to keep the room well ventilated. That is because paint strippers can emit toxic fumes if there is a lack of fresh air.
Remember to buy a face mask to prevent potential dust or fume inhalation. Also, do not forget to wear chemically resistant gloves to protect your hands.
Now that you and your home are safe, we can get into the methods to take the paint off walls.
How to get paint off the walls using the Scrapper
You are going to need a wire brush, a paint scraper, or an oscillating scraping tool.
Scraping paint off the walls is one of the easiest ways to take the color off of walls. You can follow this method to get rid of already flaking or peeling paint. Use the wire brush to get rid of cracking and chipping paint. Position the flat side of the scraper under the colorant and push carefully to peel it off. You can opt for an oscillating tool with a scraping blade to cover larger areas or make the process easier.
Yes, it is an easy method. Still, manually scraping a whole wall of paint takes a lot of effort and time. So if you want to complete the project faster, you can choose the following method.
2. How To Get Paint off Walls With Paint Stripper
You will need a paint stripper, kraft paper, plastic sheets, and a sharp scraper for this method. Paint stripping chemicals are a fast and also simple way to remove the paint from the walls. It works exceptionally well for plaster walls.
Now, here is what you have to do. First, layer the paint stripper on with a broad brush. Dip the paintbrush into the paint stripper and layer it over the walls. Try to put on a coating about 1⁄8 inch thick. That way, it will not dry too fast. Still, the coating thickness does not have to be so accurate after all. You can mainly estimate the thickness by eye.
Next, you have to read the product label’s instructions and wait for the required amount of time. It takes some time for the product to take effect. The chemical process can take minutes or sometimes hours. It depends on the brand of paint stripper you are using. Make sure to read the product’s instructions and wait as directed.
Once the time is up, you are going to notice the paint start to bubble up. That is when you go in with a scraper to remove it. Make sure to begin from the bottom, push the scraper under the color. Then slowly work your way to the top. It will come off in long peels. Try and get as much paint off the wall as you can. If you still see any stubborn spots, try using toothpicks or toothbrushes and scrape off the paint.
What if there is an underlying layer of paint that does not come off? In this case, you will need to go in with another layer of chemical paint stripper. That should remove the solid layer.
Next, you have to neutralize the chemicals. You cannot skip this step if you are planning on applying a new coat of paint. If you skip this step, the new layer of paint will fall right off. Now, you have to follow the instructions on the label to do that. The method used to neutralize a paint stripper is different for each product. However, usually, it is either a water wash or a mineral spirit. The neutralizing product may ask you to mix 1 gallon with four fluid ounces of neutralizer. The measurements, however, may differ depending on the brand of the product. So mix as the product label instructs and then use this mixture with a cloth to wash the wall.
Paint Remover for Walls
So now we have to find the perfect paint remover for you. If you want to remove paint with a paint stripper, you can use the ‘Dumond Smart Strip Advanced Paint Remover.’ The formula is water-based. It is also 100-percent biodegradable and powerful enough to remove eight to ten layers of paint! Also, if you are worried about safety issues, do not worry. This product releases no VOC at all. You can then layer it with a brush and apply laminated paper. Next, remove both the paint and laminated sheet with a plastic putty knife. If you notice any stubborn spots, you may have to do the extra scraping. You may want to sand the walls before you prime and paint your walls.
After cleaning up well, you are all ready to paint. Other than that, you can make a homemade paint remover. This recipe uses Borax and Ammonia as ingredients.
This recipe uses more potent ingredients because it is designed to remove older paints. You need to add 2 cups of room temperature water into a bowl and pour 1 cup borax. To that, add 1 cup of ammonia and 1 cup washing soda (found with laundry detergents). Then, stir well until you get a cream-like consistency. Next, apply this mixture to your walls. Now, let the mixture sit for about 15 to 20 minutes till it penetrates. Then, rinse off with warm water while scrubbing with steel wool. The recipe can remove any paint type well, including paint that is many years old.
Now, if you want to make a safer homemade recipe, you have the perfect alternative. Scroll through to find out.
How to remove paint from walls without harmful chemicals
The following homemade option is an excellent alternative if you are on a budget. Other than that, this DIY paint remover is a safer choice. There are no risks and adverse effects you have to worry about here.
- Homemade paint remover using vinegar
You guessed it right; it is a one-ingredient recipe! Put around a cup of vinegar into a bowl and microwave it till it is warm. Make sure not to let it boil. Once the vinegar is warm enough, soak a clean towel with it. Then use it on the walls. You will have to let it sit for a while. The vinegar will slowly weaken the layer of paint on the walls. Now, you should be able to scrape off the color easily. However, if it still does not work, then repeat the process a couple more times. It should work now.
How to Remove Textured Paint from Walls
A problem many homeowners have is how to remove textured paint. Textured paint was trendy once long ago. However, it is not anymore. Back when textured paint was popular, a lot of people installed it on walls and ceilings. Unfortunately, as times change, so do trends. These days textured paint has become old news. You may feel like you are no longer a fan of textured paint anymore. Looking at those walls now, you may feel like it is time to say goodbye to them. The good news is you can clean those walls on your own. You have to follow a few simple guidelines to get the project done quickly and easily.
1st Step: Scrape off
For your first step, you will need a paint scraper. Try and take off as much as the paint you can using a traditional paint scraper. Also, do not forget the safety measures. Textured paint can contain asbestos, which can be extremely harmful to your health. So make sure to wear a face mask and safety gloves, just in case. It is better to be on the safe side. If you do, in fact, find asbestos, stop what you are doing immediately. You can get the assistance of an expert to have the paint safely removed.
Once you have peeled off the paint, take it and throw it directly into the garbage in a sealed bag. Make sure not to let it sit around on the floor for any length of time.
2nd Step – Pick the Right Tools
Next, you will have to peel off the remaining textured paint. It is a lot more difficult to tackle than getting rid of ordinary coloring. Why, you may ask? It is because of the formula and ingredients of the substance. Some recommend using a sander. However, it would be a mistake for two reasons. First, the sander can make a big mess. If you do sand, you will have to clean away fragments of textured paint for ages. Secondly, some types of textured paint, like Artex, contain asbestos, which is harmful to your health. Maybe you are not sure if your coloring does or not. However, it is not worth the risk. You do not want any potentially toxic ingredients dispersing into the air. So, instead, you can use a steamer. You can easily find one from hardware or home improvement stores.
3rd step – Use a Steamer
Once you get the steamer, check its manual and operate it according to instructions. Then start removing the dampened paint with a paint scraper or the flat head of a screwdriver. You will notice that it peels off quickly enough. However, if you want to make it come off more quickly, you can try steaming it again. You will be able to clean the wall within a day if you work hard.
Final thoughts
There you have it. Now you know how to take the paint off of walls properly. It was not that difficult, was it? You learned different techniques and the products you need to remove paint. All you need are the supplies, and you are ready to take the coloring off the walls. Now, when you start painting, remember to follow the safety measures. Remember to not attempt to sand the paint off the walls if you suspect the coloring is old. Also, make sure to keep windows open to ventilate the room.
Most importantly, do not incinerate paint scrapings as they are incredibly flammable. Removing paints is an easy task if you follow the proper techniques and safety precautions and use the best supplies. With that, you are officially ready to clear the paint off the walls. So what are you waiting for?
