Removing paint from brick is a helpful skill if you are refurbishing something. Paint removal from brick can also be needed in case you need to restore a walkway, wall, etc.
Without the proper knowledge to do the task, it’ll be hard for one to successfully strip paint from brick. After all, it can be a hard task because of the brick’s grooves and surface type. On the other hand, if you use the right products and procedure, the process will be smooth sailing for you.
More...
Here are 7 easy steps that you can follow:
What You Will Need to Remove Paint From Brick
Before we start with the procedure, it’s best that you prepare all the things that you will need.
Thermometer
It’s an appropriate time to conduct the task?
Before you start removing the paint, you have to check the weather and see if it’s an appropriate time to conduct the task. If you expose the brick under strain during a freezing temperature, the brick can break.
Protective Gear
Safety first!
Some materials that you’re going to use might be dangerous if you’re going to leave yourself exposed. With a protective gear that comprises eyewear, gloves, and full body clothing, you’ll be safer.
Used Cloth or Newspapers
Used newspaper is good way to protect the floor or furniture
This is an essential material if you don’t want to make a mess out of your surroundings. Having used cloth or newspaper is good way to protect the floor or furniture from being exposed to the chemicals during the process of paint removal.
Paint Scraper
Use paint scraper for this job
This is good for taking out any loose paint dangling from your bricks.
Paint Stripper
This is the item that you shouldn’t be missing. You can pick any type of paint strippers since there are so many types out there in the market. You can either choose the traditional ones that have a stronger chemical effect or opt for the eco-friendly ones that are milder.
Wire Brush and Drill
For finishing clean-ups, prepare a wire brush with heavy-duty bristles just in case the paint is still too stubborn to take out.
Warm Water and Soft Brush
A good way to remove any excess paint, a bucket of warm water and a soft brush should be prepared after the clearing of the paint. Just make sure that the water remains warm when applying since the heat makes it more effective.
Instructions
Once you’ve gathered all the things you need, you are ready to start. Follow the guide below:
Weather Check-Up
Never conduct your paint removal if a drop of temperature would occur in the next few days. To prevent this from happening, have a thermometer to check the temperature of the day or watch the weather report for any possible news of a change in climate.
A cold temperature that reaches below freezing point does no good to a bare brick. If your brick is located outside, it’s going to be susceptible to cracks and damages. Thus, it is essential that you schedule your procedure during the summer.
Area Preparation
Prepare the area by putting bits of used cloth or newspapers on the floor. Also, if you have plants or furniture nearby, transfer them to a safe zone. If it’s too heavy for transferring, tape down some of the cloth or newspapers onto your things to keep safe from paint stripper drippings and debris falling from the bricks.
Paint Stripper Testing
It is important that this step should be executed properly. In a process like this, it isn’t all the time that your paint stripper would work well with the brick you have.
Choose an inconspicuous spot on your brick and only add a very tiny amount of the paint stripper onto it. This is to test if the effect of the chemical would do damage or not. This is also one way of seeing the condition of the brick beneath.
If you think that the brick is too damaged, you might want to seek professional help.
Loose Paint Scraping
If your paint stripper goes well with the brick type, you can now proceed to taking off any dangling paint that can be easily taken by a scraper. In this manner, you will be able to use less of the paint stripper and save more.
Paint Stripper Application
Now that the bricks are ready, you can now apply the paint stripper.
After covering the bricks with an even layer of the paint stripper, attach the peeling strips and leave it pasted according to the directions. When done, you can already peel it off.
Now that the paint on the brick is already softened, proceed with scraping it off.
Brick Cleaning
The paint on the wall is already gone at this point, but there will be remnants of it that you must clean up. If the scraper would not be able to suffice, create a friction on your wire brush by wiping off the excess until it falls off.
If you want a convenient and quicker way to do it, you can attach the wire brush in a cordless drill for greater friction.
Final Polishing
This final stage will require you to prepare a bucket of warm water and a soft brush. This is a necessary procedure if you’d want to have a clean output. The remnants accumulated from the wire brush scraping must be taken away so you’ll to be able to see your bricks free from any of the substances involved in this procedure. You can repeat this process as much as you like until satisfied.
Helpful Tip
- In the polishing process, you can also add scouring powder for a more powerful effect.
Conclusion
I hope that this is a helpful guide. If you have other suggestions or stories to tell, leave a comment below.
Related Articles You May Interested
