While paint can easily help protect the majority of building materials from decay and weatherization, paint can also ruin a lot of great materials natural surfaces. When paint is basted on beautiful brick, plastered on plastic or slathered on steel, it can be difficult at best to remove all of the paint to get the materials back to their gorgeous natural surface. Before you begin your paint removal project, read these tips and techniques for removing paint from tough substrates and surfaces and you’ll be the paint removal master of all your home improvement projects in no time fast.
- ·. Be careful removing any paint from wood that was painted before 1978 as these paints may contain lead. In some areas, lead paint abatement services must be used in accordance with the law. Give your local building department a quick call and find out what you need to do to test, remove and dispose of any lead paint you suspect may be in your home or business.
- ·. This rubbery adhesive conforms to brick and other uneven surfaces with ease. A chemical reaction takes place overnight and within 24 hours it hardens and can be scraped clean. A pressure washing completes the paint removal process.
- · Metal- Most metals can be easily sandblasted to remove old paint. Aluminum may be too delicate for a sandblasting and can be soda, walnut or bead blasted to remove all traces of old paint. Paint remover that comes in a gelatin formula works great to remove paint from softer metals by spreading the gel using a terrycloth towel to work the gel into the paint and help spread it uniformly in between cracks and crevices.
- · Plastic- Plastic can be one paint removal project that is difficult for certain. Some paints can be removed from plastic using regular cooking oil and a soft rag. Tougher to remove paint can be removed using orange-based bathroom cleaners, rubbing alcohol and other natural or organic based solvents. Never use caustic chemicals or heat to remove paint from plastic as these methods will melt, stain or discolor most plastics. Be sure to test in an inconspicuous space first.
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