Removing oil based paint from bricks

[Paul205]

People,

The exterior of my property is a brick called Dapple Lite and the face of the brick is quite delicate.

Since purchasing the property I have always considered trying to remove some oil based paint from the brick.

Can anyone suggest how I may be able to remove the paint. I am sure it is oil based and I would also like to try to avoid damaging the outer face of the brick.

Cheers




Paul

 

[TheDec]

Paul,

Perhaps the best method here would be the careful use of a chemical stripper and a pressure washer, Nitromors is a perhaps one of the best chemical strippers and is well capable of doing the job.

You will achieve a better result here if you were to work in small areas at a time shall we say 1m2. Apply the stripper by brush and allow the paint to both soften and bubble, when the paint starts to bubble blast it away with the pressure washer.

If the paint film is not to thick it may need only one application, continue this process until the paint is removed, Secret here is to allow the Nitromors to soften the paint and the pressure washer to remove it.

Dec

 

[Paul205]

Dec,

Firstly, thanks for sucha swift response. I would suggest the paint has been there for at least 8 years. I cannot tell how many coats but I can advise that the brick has a brittle face.

There is a strip around 4 inches wide by about 1.5 metres in length.

You think nitromores would be better than say white spirit?

Cheers




Paul

 

[TheDec]

Paul,

White spirit will be of no use on cured paintwork, not even worth you trying to use it. You need a chemical stripper to soften and a pressure washer to remove.

Dec

 

[misterhelpful]

Nitromors will do the job but I wouldn't use a pressure washer as the residue is hazardous and should not be washed into drains. Also, the force of the water could well damage the brickwork if it is as delicate as you suggest.

 

[TheDec]

The method of which I have described is the only way that the paint can be completly removed without damaging the brickwork. As for drains and watercourses, I would have thought common sense to prevail, if the op were to attempt any other method of removal the chances are that the brickwork would become both damaged and stained.

 

[WhiteVanJack]

Paul,

I recently had paint removed from bricks on the front ground floor level of my house. The bricks are quite soft and approximately 105 years old and were coated with at least 4 coats of paint, possibly more but I do not know the history before I purchased the house.

In the end I opted to use the services of a specialist company who use chemical strippers followed up by a hot pressure rinse. The chemical stripper they used was a caustic soda jelly that they painted on then rinsed it off with the hot pressure washer.

Discussing the options with them they indicated a preference to use the caustic soda jelly as it is instant, ie, you do not need to leave it for hours or rework it before rinsing it off. Other options were strippers such as PeelAway now called StripAway and some other chemical strippers from suppliers such as the web link below:

http://www.stripperspaintremovers.com/basic_principles.htm

A proprietary chemical stripper and jet wash will give you good results but you could make up your own caustic soda jelly with some sodium hydroxide and a gel or gum. I did find a recipe using "Google" for this but because of the size of the area involved and the option to get it all done in the one day I opted for the specialist company.

One final point, be careful with the jet washer as it could blast your pointing away if used too severely, however, you can always repoint afterwards if required.


Rgds
Jack

 

[WhiteVanJack]

Nitromors will do the job but I wouldn't use a pressure washer as the residue is hazardous and should not be washed into drains. Also, the force of the water could well damage the brickwork if it is as delicate as you suggest.

If the OP wishes to minimise the amount of chemical waste entering the drainage system then something like StripAway (formerly called PeelAway) might be the best option. It is a thick paste that is applied with a filling knife or trowel then covered with a protective blanket (supplied with StripAway). After the appropriate amount of time it is peeled off as a thick paste and can be placed in a container for disposal.

There is still the issue of effluent from a rinse or neutralisation for the StripAway but the amount of chemical waste entering the drainage system is reduced when compared to some other options.


Rgds
Jack

 

[JohnD]

beware of caustic soda as it will eat through your skin and eyeballs.

 

[WhiteVanJack]

beware of caustic soda as it will eat through your skin and eyeballs.

Agreed, the company I used had their employees well protected with face and eye masks and oilskins with gauntlets etc, especially for the rinsing off stage when using a hot pressure washer. They also erected tarpaulins to prevent splatter onto neighbours properties

You do need protection but if used safely caustic soda certainly does the job. However, for a small area and no urgency involved I would use "StripAway".


Rgds
Jack

 

[opps]

In the end I opted to use the services of a specialist company who use chemical strippers followed up by a hot pressure rinse.
Jack

Hi Jack

How are we?

Could you link to the firm in question- assuming that you were happy with them.

An approximation of the kind of rates that they charged you would be useful, if not too intrusive.

Hope you are well.

 

[WhiteVanJack]

Hi opps,

I am OK, getting on with the house renovations as and when I can.

I was very happy with the firm in question and have pasted a link to their website below:

http://www.cleanpointing.co.uk/index.htm

As regards the rate, without divulging the actual amount I will say that it was around half the cost of the 2 other quotes I got for the work. However, I am quite local to them and gave them an open diary for them to choose dates so that might have helped with the quote. They were very professional, left the site clean and tidy and were a nice bunch of people.



Rgds
Jack