A few recommendations on how to quickly and easily remove water-based paint from walls
Water-based paint is used to repair various rooms. The material is inexpensive, dries quickly and emits almost no odors.
In some cases, when re-repairing, it becomes necessary to remove the old layer.
How to quickly remove water-based paint from walls? There are several basic methods and certain nuances that you need to familiarize yourself with before starting work.
Content
Surface Cleaning Options
There are several basic methods for cleaning walls from paint, each of which has advantages and disadvantages.
The most commonly used methods are:
- mechanical;
- using special solvents;
- thermal;
- using homemade products.
It is important to consider the timing of surface treatment. For example, using a solvent will take longer than mechanical cleaning.
How to remove mechanically?
This technique involves the use of additional devices:
- spatulas,
- hammer drill,
- grinding,
- other devices.
The material on which the paint is applied must be resistant to mechanical stress. Scratches and unevenness may appear during operation.
You should start with an inconspicuous area where you can check the cleaning result and prevent possible negative consequences.
Procedure:
- Wet the area with a rag or roller.
- Wait the necessary time.
- Remove the coating with a spatula in one direction.
- If it doesn’t work right away, use a brush or sandpaper with a coarse abrasive.
The last stage is cleaning. Then they move on to further processing (leveling, priming, finishing with new materials).
Grinders and grinders with special attachments are used for surfaces made of “soft” materials (for example, wood). Drills are suitable for any walls.
Instructions for using power tools:
- Connecting to the electrical network (it is important to ensure that the wire is of sufficient length, but not to allow twists or bends).
- Removing the coating with a spatula - sequentially, in small sections.
- Removing dust from the walls with a damp cloth.
- Final cleaning.
The mechanical method requires some time and labor. Using a power tool speeds up the process, but electrical safety requirements must be observed.
How to quickly remove with a solvent?
Remove a thick layer of water-based paint or very old coating possible with the help of substances having a high concentration of dissolving chemical elements.
Experts recommend using products containing one of the following reagents:
- isopropylene (special alcohol);
- formic acid;
- dimethyl chloride (another name is dichloromethane).
These elements quickly decompose when used and do not pose a health hazard.
Chemical solvents should only be used in well-ventilated areas.. Before use, it is important to carefully study safety precautions and open windows and doors in a timely manner. If this is not possible, it is better to choose another method of cleaning the walls.
The average consumption of such substances is one liter per five square meters of surface.
Stages of work:
- pour the solution into a convenient container;
- apply to the surface with a brush (a small part);
- wait the specified time (average period 20 minutes);
- Scrape off the soaked area with a spatula.
Upon completion of work, it is important to remove any remaining substance from the wall. Recommendations are in the instructions (on the packaging).
How to clean using the thermal method?
This technique is not available to everyone due to the need to use a special tool - an electrical (construction) hair dryer. The main difference is that the paint is not wetted, but is heated to a soft state.
Sequence of actions:
- Connect the instrument to the power supply.
- The walls are heated gradually in small areas so that the paint does not have time to harden back during processing.
- Use a spatula to scrape off the softened material; it is important to move in one direction.
- Residues are wiped off with sandpaper or a wire brush.
The last stage is cleaning the room. The thermal method is one of the most labor-intensive and unsafe. The process can cause serious burns. Experts do not recommend using a hair dryer without working skills.
Using homemade products
How else can I wash off water-based emulsion from the wall? Water-based paint has a simple composition. Therefore, to remove it, you can prepare a solution yourself from elements that are found in every (or almost every) home.
A soap solution is often used, to which you can add:
- iodine - accelerates the removal of the old layer (usually used in a proportion of 200 ml per regular bucket);
- chloroform - quickly dissolves latex coating;
- alcohol (vodka), salicylic acid - used for acrylic compositions.
Advice from professionals
The soap solution is suitable for water-based paint with a non-waterproof composition. It's easy to check - wet a small area and wipe with a sponge. If stains appear on the wall and the dye remains on the sponge, it means that the material does not require special solvents.
Working with bar soap will be easier if you grate it first. on a grater, chop finely, scrape with a knife.
Additionally, you can apply small notches to the wall (for example, with a knife or the corner of a spatula) - the softening process will go faster. The main thing is not to make the scratches too deep, so as not to damage the base of the wall.
When working with a hair dryer or other power tools, craftsmen recommend dividing the wall into sections and marking the boundaries (with a pencil or other convenient method). This approach will allow you to move in the right direction and track the cleaning stages and operating time.
If the heated composition gets from the wall to other places, it is better to immediately wipe it with a damp cloth. Otherwise, the paint will dry out again and you will have to re-treat it with a hairdryer or solvent.Professionals recommend covering all surfaces in the rooms - with newspaper, film, rags.
Useful video
The video will show you how to remove water-based paint from walls and ceilings:
Conclusion
About 20-30 years ago, water-based paint was one of the most popular materials for interior decoration. Therefore, in apartments of old housing stock, almost all walls are covered with a similar composition.
The modern market offers a much wider selection of construction and finishing elements. Therefore, the old coating has to be removed.
In most cases, a soap solution is enough (especially if the room is small - bath, toilet). Sometimes the use of special tools is required - a hair dryer, a grinder with suitable attachments. In some cases, it is better to contact a specialist (so as not to damage the base of the wall).
