#REMOVE EMULSION PAINT FROM PLASTER HOW TO#

Mix a water and white vinegar solution: 3 tablespoons (45 grams) of vinegar to 1 gallon (4 litres) of water. For more tips on preparing a room, check out our guide to painting a room without making a mess. If you can’t remove your furniture, cover that up too. These sheets will collect all the flaky emulsion paint and dust from the sanding process. Things will get messy, so lay some dust sheets close to the wall.

#REMOVE EMULSION PAINT FROM PLASTER HOW TO#

How to Remove Emulsion Paint from Plaster Walls – Step-by-Step Instructionsįollow the steps below to safely remove unwanted emulsion paint from your plaster walls. These items will save you from the bits of flaky paint flying around.Īdditional measures are necessary if you encounter lead paint (see lead section above). However, I recommend wearing latex gloves, goggles and a face mask. Using this method, you won’t be handling anything particularly hazardous.

Sanding block and 80-150 grade sandpaper.

Sharp putty knife or metal scraper – the broader, the better.

Here are the things you need to complete this project using my preferred method: Tools However, if you want to know more about lead in paint, check out this article from the DIY Doctor. Lead isn’t an issue when we’re dealing with removing emulsion paint. How do you know if you have lead paint? The best way to be sure is by using a lead paint test kit. You won’t find lead in emulsion paint, but there could be many paint layers under the finish coat if you’re decorating an older house.

Lead was used as a pigment in oil paint until the 1990s, it’s more commonly found in pre-70s housing and commercial buildings. Paint containing lead pigment is typically oil or solvent-based. Many people use the term ‘ lead-based paint‘, but this is not the correct terminology. Instead, use medium-grit sandpaper on a block to achieve a smooth finish.ĭo I Need to be Concerned About Lead in the Paint? I don’t recommend mechanical sanding as this is likely to create unevenness and gouges on the surface. Whatever product you use to loosen the paint, you still need some elbow grease! This job typically involves using a scraper or a wire brush, but be careful not to damage the surface you’re going to paint. My preferred option is white vinegar.Ī solution of white vinegar may take longer to loosen the paint than most proprietary chemical products, but it’s cheap, safe, and easy to use. I don’t like using chemicals that need special precautions unless there’s little choice. My Preferred Choice for Removing Emulsion Paint from Plaster Walls I prefer low-VOC products for internal use, but these tend to be the most expensive paint strippers. Many products are on the market, but the main ingredient is often a toxic chemical called methylene chloride. ChemicalsĬhemical paint strippers break down the bond between the paint and the sub-surface. *Pro Tip: If you own a steamer, check out our guide to using a wallpaper steamer. More importantly, don’t use steam on a skimmed plasterboard wall, as this could also soften the board.Don’t leave the removed emulsion lying around to dry otherwise, it will stick to wherever it lands.There are a couple of points you should be aware of: At this point, you can use a scraper to remove the paint easily. After a few minutes, you’ll see the paint loosen. Place the freshly boiled kettle against the wall where you want to remove the paint. This method is less efficient but still effective. If you don’t have a steamer*, you can use boiling water from a kettle. You can learn more about using a heat gun in our guide to stripping paint. Heat guns work by melting the paint with scorching air, making it easy to scrape off.īe careful not to burn the skirtings or door/window frames when using a heat gun.

Using a heat gun might sound like a great idea, but beware! If there’s any leaded paint underneath the emulsion, the heat gun could create toxic fumes that are hazardous to anyone nearby. To remove emulsion paint from a wall, these are your primary options:

Remove emulsion paint from plaster