In the world of painting, few steps are as important as removing old wall paint before replacing it with a fresh layer of paint. There are a few ways painters can go about safely stripping wall paint, for whatever your purpose is during your home renovation or remodeling project.
Scrape Away Loose Paint
For small spots of your walls where the paint is chipping off, you can grab a paint scraper and get rid of the loose paint before replacing it with a fresh layer. You can also use a scraper to effectively get rid of bumps and flakes in your wall paint, although be ready to fill in any holes or divots hiding below the paint using a filling paste.
Safety-wise, wear protective glasses if you worry about paint fragments hitting you in the face. It is also a good idea to have something, usually a bucket, to catch the pieces of paint once you strip them from the wall.
Use Sandpaper on Paint Surfaces
If the paint scraper did not get the job done for you, or you are dealing with small pieces of paint, you may have to use sandpaper to scrape away paint from your wall. If you decide to go down this route, keep in mind that doing it by hand will take a long time, as well as a lot of patience.
For larger projects, you may want to save time and effort by buying or renting an automatic sander, which does the job for you.
Another safety consideration is to wear goggles and a face mask, as sanding usually produces a lot of sand particles and dust, which you can inhale. Inhaling these particles is not healthy, so wear protective gear and be sure to open any windows for ventilation.
If you do not have a window in the room you are sanding, take breaks every so often, and get access to fresh air. Doing this can also help you from getting light-headed or dizzy, with painting as well as other activities.
Use a Paint Stripper
Chemical paint strippers are very effective at removing paint from walls, although to strip paint safely, there are a few safety tips to consider. Wear chemical gloves and a face mask, as well as goggles to protect your eyes.
Dip a paintbrush in your paint stripper and brush across the surface you wish to remove, taking care not to spill any of the chemical solution on yourself and any furniture or objects next to you. Let it bubble up for a few minutes before taking a paint scraper and removing the bubbly paint.
Follow any other instructions on the paint stripping product to keep yourself and those around you safe, and remember to ventilate the area you are working in. At a minimum, take breaks to keep yourself from breathing in chemical fumes.
Use Heat to Burn Off Paint
Applying a fire gun or other source of fire to your painted walls is also an effective way of removing unwanted paint, especially if the paint is multiple layers deep. For oil-based paints, electric fire guns are extra efficient.
Again, wear heavy-duty gloves, goggles, and a protective mask or ventilator while heating the paint. Scrape off the paint using a scraper and safely dispose of the peeling paint.
