Paint stripper

[Stonehouse]

Good afternoon

Please could someone recommend a paint stripper to use on granite and lime mortar?

Our lime mortar has recently been done so I’m very conscious of what goes on it. Can I put some paint stripper on it? Or how else could I remove paint from lime mortar? Would hot water work? We have some paint marks left!

Thank you

 

[Toby Newell]

You can use an alkaline stripper like peelaway or other poultice stripper, or a solvent DCM based stripper, both will not damage your lime. You will have to pretend to be in industry to buy DCM as it is restricted end user use now, due to being possibly less carcingogenic than sausages.

Any, non acidic stripper from the DIY sheds will work, after a fashion and very slowly.

You could try acetone or xylene cellulose thinners if you don't fancy using DCM.

Technically, although fairly unreactive compared to other stones and especially lime mortar, some granites are actually reactive to alkalis. So, the by far safest and most efficient method is a solvent based stripper with multiple sets of very stiff nylon brushes. As I have used severel hundred litres of DCM I sometimes don't use gloves, but often resort to heavy duty blue nitrile gloves when the burning gets too annoying. A respirator is advised, if overkill, outside, safety specs are also a must.

I will actually be using DCM on a house exterior in about 15 hours time, I will probably wear gloves and probably put my safety specs on when I get stripper in my safety squints for the first time. Paramose is probably the best, widely available online.

The one very large no no is brick cleaner, this is almost always HCl, hydrochloric acid, spirits of salts, muriatic acid (all same thing) this is strongly acidic and will powerfully react with and dissolve your lime with a lovely fizz.

 

[Stonehouse]

You can use an alkaline stripper like peelaway or other poultice stripper, or a solvent DCM based stripper, both will not damage your lime. You will have to pretend to be in industry to buy DCM as it is restricted end user use now, due to being possibly less carcingogenic than sausages.

Any, non acidic stripper from the DIY sheds will work, after a fashion and very slowly.

You could try acetone or xylene cellulose thinners if you don't fancy using DCM.

Technically, although fairly unreactive compared to other stones and especially lime mortar, some granites are actually reactive to alkalis. So, the by far safest and most efficient method is a solvent based stripper with multiple sets of very stiff nylon brushes. As I have used severel hundred litres of DCM I sometimes don't use gloves, but often resort to heavy duty blue nitrile gloves when the burning gets too annoying. A respirator is advised, if overkill, outside, safety specs are also a must.

I will actually be using DCM on a house exterior in about 15 hours time, I will probably wear gloves and probably put my safety specs on when I get stripper in my safety squints for the first time. Paramose is probably the best, widely available online.

The one very large no no is brick cleaner, this is almost always HCl, hydrochloric acid, spirits of salts, muriatic acid (all same thing) this is strongly acidic and will powerfully react with and dissolve your lime with a lovely fizz.

That’s great thank you. So any DCM paint such as Paramose.

Do you have any tips for removing paint under a fascia. I can’t really use a wire brush or scraper. Would you just apply the remover and maybe remove using a paintbrush?

Thank you

 

[Toby Newell]

Photos worth 1000 words

 

[Toby Newell]

Patience and imagination, my stripper box contains over a dozen brushes, old paint brushes, bronze, brassed steel, steel, natural fibre, nylon, I have a whole seperate box of scrapers and blades, dental tool kits from amazon etc, tooth brushes, washing up brushes, be creative. If energitically brushing stripper for removal consider large wraparound goggles or a faceshield, it will go in your eye and it will sting.

 

[Toby Newell]

and be aware, DCM and to a slightly lesser extent acetone and xylene are all powerful solvents which readily attack and melt many plastics including ABS, styrenes and some PVCs, windows, gutters and fascias may be made out of these. Things like nylon, polyethylene and polypropylene are more resistant. Be careful. Decant into a glass jar or metal container if you are unsure what your plastic container is.

 

[Stonehouse]

and be aware, DCM and to a slightly lesser extent acetone and xylene are all powerful solvents which readily attack and melt many plastics including ABS, styrenes and some PVCs, windows, gutters and fascias may be made out of these. Things like nylon, polyethylene and polypropylene are more resistant. Be careful. Decant into a glass jar or metal container if you are unsure what your plastic container is.

Thank you so much this is very helpful

Would white spirit work also? Maybe on the granite? Thank you. The b and q one I have is called Diall

 

[Toby Newell]

You can always try, white spirit is quite a mild solvent for cured finishes, it is good for glues, gums, waxes and uncured finish.

Cured vinyls, acrylics and polyurethanes aren't much affected by white spirits.

The best item you have, is the one you have! So try it first, with a good dollop of elbow grease before you buy anything else.