Before painting any surface, preliminary preparation must be done. It includes removing dirt, cobwebs, insects from the surface, as well as removing paint, sanding (for wood surfaces) and putty.
The most important step is removing the surface coating. Leaving old paint contributes to the appearance of cracks, peeling of the new coating, and a violation of the aesthetic appearance. Let's take a look at the most common paint stripping methods that you can use on your farm:
- thermal;
- chemical;
- mechanical.
The application of one of the methods depends on the type of paint applied, as well as on the material of the surface to be cleaned.
Thermal method
The most effective method for cleaning wood surfaces from paint and varnish is the method of heat treatment. With the help of a hair dryer or a burner, the old surface is heated to the melting point. The paint softens and flakes off, after which it can be easily cleaned off with a hand spatula. The advantage of this method is that even thick layers of paint can be removed quickly and efficiently.
The processing method is suitable only for wood, and in some cases for metal. Ineffective for plastic, the latter begins to melt and deform at high temperatures. This method is of little use for processing painted concrete, stone or plaster surfaces. A significant drawback is the release of volatile toxic substances when the paint is heated.
Chemical method of paint removal
You can also remove old paint with special means, which include chemical solvents. They are produced to remove a specific coating and are based on acids, alkalis and organic polar substances such as acetone or gasoline. There are also solvents with a universal composition, but their effectiveness is lower.
After applying the solvent to the surface, it should be left for 15-60 minutes. The time depends on the type of old paint and the thickness of the applied layer. The required contact time with the surface must be indicated on the package. During this time, the old paint will begin to soften and can be easily removed with a hand spatula.
The chemical method is suitable for cleaning most surfaces:
- wood;
- metal;
- plastic and linoleum;
- MDF and glass.
Method of removing paint by mechanical action
Mechanical methods of stripping paint include cleaning with hand or power tools. The most common tool for removing paint from large surfaces is a grinder or angle grinder (angle grinder). If a grinder is used, a special wire brush (brush) is fixed on it instead of a disk. You can also use a drill with a metal tip. This method is suitable for cleaning wood and metal from oil paints.
To clean up concrete, stone, plastered walls from water-based paints, surface grinders with coarse-grained sandpaper, with a grain size of 250-600 microns, are used.
The manual method of removing paint with a spatula or scrapers is also referred to as mechanical methods. This process is quite long and laborious, but the most affordable. Removing the paint by hand will not give you a completely cleaned surface, so use it in combination with other methods, or at the stage of finishing preparatory work. The advantage of the manual method is the ability to remove any paintwork.
How to remove paint from wood? In the process of renovation in a house or apartment, there is almost always a need to update and give a noble look to an important component of the interior: entrance and interior doors.
Of course, it is much easier to install popular plastic counterparts and subsequently admire the elegant look that the room will immediately "wear" on itself.
But it is much better to live surrounded by natural materials that only need to be updated, restored and modernized by ordinary painting.
Is it necessary to remove old paint?
According to the condition of the old paint layer, it is necessary to decide: apply fresh paint over it or still pre-clean it from the old decor. The main criteria for making the right decision will be:
- The duration of the previous painting, which, under the influence of time, can begin to flake off on its own. If a new layer is applied on top of the peeling surface, then the painted area will have a bumpy and sloppy appearance.
- Thickness. A single layer of the old coating does not need to be removed. The dye is applied to it much better and lasts longer. Moreover, the wood is not threatened by the next impact. With multi-layer coating, the paint layer is characterized by low strength and density and is destroyed with insignificant mechanical stress.
- Color. When applying a thin and loose layer of paint, the color of the old surface will show through, or mixing of new and old paints will occur. For example, red superimposed on blue will result in a purple hue.
- Texture that may not match the quality characteristics of the previous layer. So how do you remove old paint from wood?
Preparatory stage
In the absence of cracks, blisters and damage on the working surface, a pre-paint treatment will be sufficient. A thick layer of paint should be removed or a large number of layers accumulated over many years. It is much easier to get rid of the old coating on concrete and metal products characterized by a hard surface than on wood, a soft material that is easily damaged. How to remove old paint from wood surfaces at home?
Before removing the previous coating, first of all, you should inspect the condition, structure and quality of the product planned for painting and make sure that it is possible for its further operation.
Getting rid of old paint: effective methods
Let's figure out how to remove old paint from wood surfaces at home.
Removing the old layer is a rather laborious process that requires a lot of time and effort. Therefore, sometimes turning to professional craftsmen is better than independent actions. There are several gentle ways to gently and safely remove the old paint coat, causing minimal damage to the wood base:
- chemical, involving the use of various reagents;
- thermal, using high temperatures;
- mechanical, in which the impact on the working surface is performed using auxiliary tools.
Personal safety and protective equipment must be used when choosing methods for removing old coatings.
Chemical method
How and how to remove old paint from a wooden surface in the fastest, most dust-free and chemical-free way?
Getting rid of the previously applied layer is done by treating the product with special chemical solutions that soak the paint and foam it from the inside. The application of such effective substances must be done with a spray gun, a fine-bristled roller or a brush. Then you should wait 20-25 minutes to allow the substance to fully manifest its destructive abilities. As a result, the old layer can be removed without much difficulty.
You can take mechanical tools (for example, a spatula) to help.
It is problematic to use chemicals when removing old paint on the ceiling, but manufacturers have found a way out and are releasing such products in the form of jelly. Even when applied with a brush, they do not run down.
By financial standards, the chemical method is very costly: a unit of a high-quality drug in monetary terms is equal to the price of the paint itself. In addition, the used material needs special disposal. The disadvantage is the pungent smell of drugs, as well as the release of toxic fumes by them. Therefore, in order to avoid getting burns and poisoning, work should be carried out in a respirator, protective gloves and goggles. Before starting the process, the room must be well ventilated. What's the easiest way to remove old paint from a wooden surface?
We use hot air
The invention of the building hair dryer caused the appearance of thermal removal of the old paint layer. Are you wondering how to remove old paint from wood with a hair dryer? The device is able to warm up the surface to 600 ° C. Under the influence of high temperatures, the paint foams and is easily removed with a chisel, scraper or spatula.
The construction hair dryer is not recommended for use in rooms with plastic windows and exposed electrical wiring, since at high temperatures the latter can easily ignite. In the absence of a building hair dryer, you can use food foil: attach it to the surface, warm it up with an iron (old, which is not a pity). The "ironing" method heats up the surface, so you can safely get rid of the old layer of paint.
It is not recommended to expose the working area of \u200b\u200bthe product with an open flame (gas burners) to remove old paint due to the risk of possible fire. In addition, this can cause drying out and violation of the structure of the wood, which negatively affects the strength of the product and the terms of its operation. During heat treatment, certain types of wood are capable of emitting flammable resins, which, moreover, form a specific film on the product. The latter significantly reduces adhesion (adhesion of surfaces), and may even prevent the application of a new layer of dye on the product.
Efficient mechanical method
Let's explore more ways to remove old paint from wood surfaces at home. The mechanical method is quite effective, which is scraping off old paint with the help of improvised tools: a knife, a spatula or a grinder. On a small and uneven surface, you can scrape it off with sharp tools.
How to remove old paint from large wooden surfaces? In this case, it is effective to use a power tool that significantly speeds up the workflow: grinders or drills with special circles, on which sandpaper or any other material with abrasive is put on.
An emery-flap disc can easily cope with one layer of old paint, if there are several layers, the use of brushes is effective as nozzles.
Features of working with wood
When working with an electric drill or grinder, the paint is removed dry, so the work process takes place in a large cloud of dust. Therefore, be sure to use a respirator, goggles and gloves. Before removing old paint from wood using a mechanical method, pay attention to the type of wood, since improperly selected abrasives can significantly damage its surface. Coarse-grained paper can leave significant scratches on the surface, especially if the work is done with some effort. Therefore, it is better to change to a fine-grained analogue and not make great efforts when in contact with a wooden surface. Scratches that appear as a result of mechanical impact should be putty and primed.
Which way to choose?
How do you decide how to remove old paint from wood? If the area to be treated is large and level, the mechanical method should be applied using various power tools. If it is impossible to connect to the network, chemical agents can be used, after which it is necessary to remove the old layer with ordinary scrapers.
We clean with caustic soda
How to remove old paint from wooden floor surfaces? If you are unwilling or unable to use the above methods, you can try to apply a solution of caustic soda. This method is optimal for all surfaces, but requires great care.
Workflow components:
- old clothes;
- rubber gloves;
- brush;
- putty knife;
- a cut plastic bottle;
- mortar;
- caustic soda.
"Softener" of paint is prepared from a part of a lime solution diluted in three parts. The resulting composition is applied with a brush to the work surface for 10-20 minutes, after which the layer of the old paint layer will begin to bubble. To speed up the process, it is recommended to scrub the surface with softened paint with a stiff brush or knife. Then you need to carefully remove the paint with a spatula, wipe the surface with a degreasing solution or rinse thoroughly with water.
How to remove old paint from wood? Means that have proven themselves in this matter are caustic soda and oat flour, from which you can easily prepare an effective paste. It is only required to dilute these components with water, and then apply to the work surface.
After a while, it must be removed along with the paint and rinsed with water. In case of contact with the skin, this drug must be removed immediately.
Acetone to help
Do you know how to remove old paint from wooden surfaces with acetone? This tool, perhaps, like gasoline, is the most popular among people who are faced with the problem of removing the old paint layer.
Acetone, which is a solvent, destroys the molecular structure of a substance, and it gradually begins to disappear from the surface. You can remove paint on a small surface in this way. Handling should be done very carefully due to the toxicity and flammability of these fluids. Before starting work, the room should be well ventilated.
Also, for cleaning wooden surfaces, some craftsmen use a solution of laundry soap and turpentine.
New old things
It is quite natural that the renewal of surfaces is a laborious and sometimes quite protracted process. It may sometimes be even easier to buy a new wardrobe, put in a new door, and put in flooring. But still, being among your favorite things that have surrounded you for years is much more familiar and comfortable. Maybe you should try to breathe new life into them?
During the renovation, there may be a desire to update the appearance of a wooden product. To this end, removing old paint and applying new paint in its place will cope. There are many ways to clean wood products.
Beginning of work
Cleaning paint is not easy and requires preparation. Before starting work, you need to inspect the wooden product to determine its suitability.
The next step is the selection of tools and appropriate protective clothing. The most gentle tools are selected to cause minimal damage to the wood.
To remove the paint, you will need:
- protective clothing: mask, gloves, glasses;
- soft cloth rags;
- spatulas, sandpaper;
- hair dryer with temperature control;
- washer;
- electric drill;
- metal brushes;
- angle grinder.
There are many ways to remove paint from wood surfaces:
- Mechanical processing is faster than other methods to cope with large areas. The method allows the paint to be removed along with the top layer of the wood product.
- Cleaning with chemical reagents involves the destruction of the structure of the dye.
- The thermal method, which involves the use of a special hair dryer.
Important! For any option for removing dyes, adherence to basic safety rules is mandatory. Otherwise, you can harm your health.
Before starting work, you should take into account the characteristics of the paint, namely:
- Thickness. If the wood product is covered with one layer, then instead of removing it, you can try applying a new layer of dye over the old one.
- The texture, so that the new coating in its properties is close to the old one.
- Color. All traces of the previous coating should be removed to prevent mixing of colors during further coating of the product.
- The age of the previous coating. The old coating can peel off strongly by the time it is removed, which will lead to tuberosity during subsequent painting.
Before cleaning old paint from wood, you should decide on the following factors:
- The ability to work outdoors. It is advisable to clean off paints and varnishes in a well-ventilated area to avoid the ingress of dust or toxic fumes on the mucous membranes.
- The number of layers to remove. If more than 3 layers have to be removed, then a mechanical method should not be considered. This will lead to a large waste of materials.
- The ability to move the workpiece. When processing a non-mobile product, there is a risk of harm to the objects around it.
- Surface relief. In case of obvious irregularities, chemical treatment should be used.
Mechanical restoration
The simplest and most affordable way is considered to be mechanical. There is nothing easier than picking up a power tool and cleaning off old paint. It should be noted that you will have to work in protective clothing that hinders movement.
When cleaning one layer of paint from flat objects, they resort to tools with abrasive nozzles in the form of a circle. Pay attention to the texture of the wood, as too harsh abrasiveness can destroy soft wood.
Important! Do not press hard on the device so as not to harm the treated surface. It is necessary to start with light touches to the wood, then gradually you can increase the pressure.
Processing the product with sandpaper
The method is excellent for removing a thin layer of paint from a small piece of wood. Sandpaper is not suitable for removing staining particles from hard-to-reach places. For him, you need to stock up on a large number of sheets of sandpaper and patience on the part of the person involved in this process. The cost of sandpaper is low, so this method is considered the least expensive.
The first step is to sand the surface with a coarse abrasive to remove the top layer. Then, during the cleaning process, the abrasive is replaced with a fine one and the absolute smoothness of the wooden product is achieved.
A rectangular block can be wrapped in paper to make sanding easier.
The advantage of sandpaper is not only the price of consumables, but also the low probability of damage to the processed object due to control over the degree of pressure.
Cleaning the product with an angle grinder (angle grinder)
When using angle grinders, precautions must be taken to avoid injury. Do not use the device at full speed to avoid damaging the object being processed.
An emery flap disc is required to operate this device. During the process, you should take a stable position and hold the machine by both handles to prevent the angle grinder from falling out of your hands. Discs should be replaced in a timely manner because they are clogged with sawdust.
It is better to leave the last layer of paint for manual processing with sandpaper, and wipe off the remaining dust with a damp cloth.
Using a drill
With this method, the tool is held strictly perpendicular to the surface to be treated, and move slowly, removing each layer in turn. The pressure increases gradually.
Important! Protect the mucous membranes from dust particles formed during the cleaning of the paint and varnish layer.
The advantage of the method is the speed with which colored layers are removed from small items. In addition to the drill itself, you will need special grinding attachments that remove paint without harming the tree.
Stiff paint brushes
For cleaning wood, metal cord brushes are used, which easily cope with their task. If pressed too much, they can damage the soft structure of the tree, so this method should only be used in extreme cases. 
The advantage of brushes is the ability to handle hard-to-reach places.
Cleaning with chemicals
The method involves the use of various reagents that are sold in any specialized store. To remove a thin layer of paint, ordinary acetone is sufficient. For thicker ones, it is powerless, and a stronger solvent should be purchased. If a person is not sure about the composition of the drug, then it makes sense to ask the store's consultant for advice.
If removing paint is carried out indoors, then open all windows before treating the surface with chemicals.
Detailed instructions:
- Cover all objects that may be exposed to solvent.
- Pour the solution into a paint container.
- Moisten a brush in a wash and squeeze gently.
- Apply the reagent to the surface and wait about 30 minutes (the exact time should be indicated in the instructions for the solvent).
- Clean the product by scraping off the softened paint layer.
The procedure is repeated until there are no dye traces. If it is impossible to ensure the supply of fresh air to the working room, reagents with the least aggressive composition should be purchased. The method cannot be called the most effective, since solvents are able to remove paint from wood up to six months old. 
Thermal cleaning
High temperatures can be used to remove paints and varnishes. Under their influence, the paint collapses and bursts. Further, the work is quickly completed with a spatula.
When processing large areas, it is advisable to use a special hair dryer that quickly heats the surface to the required temperature. Small objects are treated with foil and iron. For this purpose, they are guided over the foil attached to the product.
Important! Foil marks may remain on the iron, so it is best to use an old appliance.
You should be extremely careful when using electrical heating devices so as not to cause a fire hazard. It is strictly forbidden to use sources of open fire for these purposes, since wood is a flammable material.
The choice of method depends on the surface to be treated. It is recommended to carry out cleaning using special chemical washes, since this method of removing old paint from a wooden surface is considered the most effective for home use. It is important to remember that excessive impact on the processed object in any of the ways can cause irreparable damage to the structure of the tree.
ABOUT one of the most "painful" questions arising during cosmetic and major repairs - how and how to remove or remove old paint. The task is not easy, because when creating new types of paints, their manufacture, the task of the developers is exactly the opposite - how to make the paint more stable and stronger. Nevertheless, there are ways to clean surfaces from old paint, and we will talk about many of them below.
Content:
1.
2.
2.1
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Video version of the article
Let's start by removing, removing from various surfaces of the coating of oil (alkyd) paints. There are three ways this problem is solved: thermal, mechanical and chemical, as well as their various combinations. The most common of these methods is thermal, with partial use of mechanical cleaning.
Thermal method for removing old paint (heating)
This process is carried out as follows: the old paintwork is heated to a softening temperature and in this state is cleaned off with a steel spatula. The coating is heated with a blowtorch, gas torch or industrial hair dryer.
The thermal method is simple, effective, but has its drawbacks and limitations. For example, it will not be possible to remove paint from plastic, since most plastics begin to deform already at two hundred degrees Celsius. In addition, the use of devices creating a stream of hot fire is not always safe. In closed rooms, another factor comes into play that limits the use of the thermal method - the release of toxic substances from paints when heated.
A big disadvantage of the thermal method of cleaning from old paint is also the fact that it can be used to clean not any surface, even if it is heat-resistant. It is not very effective for cleaning massive metal surfaces.
If the question arises of how to remove old paint from wood, then heating is irreplaceable, especially when the wood product has been covered with paint for a long time, layer by layer. When heated, such a thick layer blisters and peels off easily, leaving a clean surface suitable for new painting without any additional preparation.
The technology for using thermal paint cleaning is simple: with one hand, they hold a heating device, directing the flame or hot air to the surface, moving the stream as the paint softens, and with the other hand, in the direction of travel, they clean the softened paint with a spatula. The skill of working with both hands at the same time is developed in literally ten to fifteen minutes.
There are also nozzles made of metal chains, often homemade, for removing paint with a drill - this method is rough, but often convenient.
In addition to these tools, there are more specialized devices - surface grinders and grinding mills. The latter are effective in cleaning plastered, stone, concrete and other similar surfaces from paint, but they are not suitable for metal.
Surface grinders for cleaning oil compositions are ineffective, since sandpaper quickly becomes unusable, clogged with paint, but sometimes, especially if high-quality processing of small areas is required, they are not replaceable. In addition, most water-based compositions are well removed by them.
The technology of cleaning old paint with a power tool is even simpler than with a thermal method: the working part of the tool is pressed against the surface to be treated and, as the desired degree of cleaning is achieved, it gradually moves.
Another tool to help you remove old paint is the punch. With the help of a wide nozzle-spatula, often homemade, you can remove old paint from concrete bases, knocking it down with a perforator. The disadvantage of this method is that the base itself can be damaged along with the paint, therefore this method is more suitable for removing paint from solid concrete. Together with the paint, putty and plaster are well removed in this way, at →.
Sandblasting method of removing, removing old paint
Another common method of mechanical cleaning from old paint is sandblasting. The principle of sandblasting is that a jet of air or water is sent to the surface to be cleaned under high pressure, to which abrasive particles (most often ordinary sand) are added. Grains of sand, hitting the surface at high speed, perfectly clean it not only from paint, but also from rust, from various other persistent contaminants.
The disadvantages of the sandblasting method include the relatively high cost of equipment and the need for certain skills to maintain the fixtures and perform the work itself.