How to Remove Paint from Brick Siding
Was the brick siding on your house painted over by the previous owner? Very occasionally, this improves the look of the home. Usually, it turns out to be a regrettable mistake. If you want to remove paint from the façade of your home, you need to do this without causing additional damage to the underlying surface. Here are some Dos and Don’ts.
Blast Off
Sand blasting may seem like a quick and efficient way to strip paint. However, this technique can permanently damage brick by, well, blasting it to pieces. Save your sandblaster for taking rust off of metal. You need to be gentler with your brick siding.
Power Up
A power washer poses the same problems as a sand blaster but adds a new twist. The pressurized stream of water can work its way into the pores of the brick. This will erode your siding faster than you think.
Strip It Down
Chemical stripping agents are your best bet for removing paint. That doesn’t mean every formula is created equal. Some are ineffective while others are corrosive. Test a small area before applying a treatment to an entire wall.
Start by washing down the siding with a sprayer on a regular garden hose. Next, apply the paint-dissolving chemical. For latex, you can use Smart Strip or Peel Away 7. Spray again to remove the paint after the stripping agent has softened it up. Use a brush with very stiff bristles to scrub any remaining residue off the bricks.
Related posts:
- Painting Brick Siding
- Old Siding and Lead Paint – Hazard Control
- Staining Brick Siding
- Is Ivy Eating Your Siding?
- Removing Paint from Your Windows
Tags: Siding
