I’m moving from Michigan to Ohio. The house I’m thinking about buying is a real jewel in the rough. It has a white painted brick exterior. I would like to remove the paint from all of the brick, any thoughts on the best way to do this, thanks?
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Replies
This can be done with a sandblaster at lower pressure. It is a lot of work but the result is good if there is good brick and grout underneath. You will need to touch up the tuck pointing afterward. I have done this on two homes, don't have the pics anymore or I would post them.
>>>This can be done with a sandblaster at lower pressure. NO!Unless you wanna ruin the brick....
"Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
Howard Thurmanhttp://rjw-progressive.blogspot.com/
It depends. The brick may be hard or soft, the paint may be well-adhered or loose. The mortar may be hard or soft.
Generally "sandblasting" with a soft material such as walnut shells is the best approach, but it takes someone with some experience/skill, plus a little luck.
I would stay away from any sort of blasting, walnut shells or other.
There are a number of chemical strippers - peel away type products on the market. I've seen them used with good results. Unless the brick was painted recently, the paint probably contains lead and blasting is a poor way to deal with that problem as well as the chance of damage to the brick and mortar.
Also, it's probably prudent to find out why the brick was painted in the first place. Often, the paint is hiding something - bad repairs, tuck-pointing with miss-matched mortar, an addition built with miss-matched bricks, graffitti, or just butt ugly brick, etc.
A test patch is important with any method and the tests should be done on suspiscious areas.
http://www.quittintime.com/ View Image
Turn the brick around.
Sorry, someone had to say it.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
Find a different house. >> Sorry, someone had to say it.<<
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Head on over to the Old House Journal website. they have a lot of good knowledge on stuff like this.
Where in Ohio - there are several of us in the Toledo area, and more near Cleveland....
"Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
Howard Thurman
http://rjw-progressive.blogspot.com/
Hudson, house is < 20 years old, brick looks solid, don't think I have to worry about lead.Dave
I have heard two things, though I have no personal experience. One is soda blasting. It uses baking soda. The other is the chemical used for stripping airplanes. Rolled or sprayed on, then washed off with water.
Here is an Ohio place that does soda blasting.
http://www.fairfieldsodablast.com/
like others have said depends on the brick... and the skill of the one remove'n the paint... i SAND blasted my condo project building... 24,000sf of blasting pre civil war brick and lime mortar... that should have never been painted ever... so yeah you can do it... do you want to? depends how much you like the pain....
i'd clean it well and repaint it ... everyone here is painting brick homes...
p
I'd try a high powered pressure washer first. I've used mine to remove old paint from stucco. It worked well. The nozzle is adjustable, similar to a garden hose nozzle. That makes it possible to direct the high pressure spray accurately, using only the amount needed to remove paint, leaving the masonry surface intact.
Using a chemical stripper and a pressure washer would probably work very well. Just be sure to get a water based stripper which is approved by the EPA for exterior use.
One concern with water or "grit" blasting is possible lead paint contamination.
I believe a study in NE found that older houses typically have very high levels of lead in the soil around the house from years of scrapping and leaving paint chips in place....
Consider having the paint tested before any such agressive techniques are used.
"Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive... then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
Howard Thurman
http://rjw-progressive.blogspot.com/
We've got elevated levels of lead in the soil in our area from being adjacent to an interstate, from all the years of vehicles driving by that were using leaded gas. A few years ago, prior to planting a vegetable garden, I had our soil tested and it was determined we could plant above ground crops (peppers, tomatoes, etc.) but not in ground crops (carrots, radishes, etc).
"Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi
No, I didn't vote for him; but he IS my president. I pray for the his safety, and the safety of his family every day. And I pray that he makes wise decisions.
Corn meal or millet blasting, works well.