Paint Stripping

[wobs]

A new toy for removing leaded paint:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061211115243.htm

In the meantime, I'm wondering whether to use caustic soda to remove the peeling emulsion off my bathroom ceiling.

 

[andrew gayton]

if the emulsion is on limewash, you should be able to scrape it off. I would advise against using caustic soda..... very volatile, splashing would be a real problem.... many burns!

 

[wobs]

Its on a ceiling that has been redone proabably about 20-30years ago, so doubt if its lime wash (?)

Open to alternatives, as there's about 3 or 4 coats of the stuff, and a big patch which has come off in my hand, and the rest comes off in small bits.

I think someone has painted straight onto the plaster, as it doesn't seem to have taken to it well

 

[thiambal]

If it is a moder plastic emulsion I have found that one of those wall paper strippers (the smaller 4" ones) with the replaceable blades was very effective at just scrapping off the paint from plaster walls - there is a danger of damaging the plaster of course.

I was able to encourage the paint to part from the wall by painting on a layer of wall paper size which went through the cracks and splits in the old paint and caused it to blister quite spectacularly.

 

[wobs]

Interesting idea, thanks

 

[Penners]

a big patch which has come off in my hand, and the rest comes off in small bits.

It sounds as though the easiest removal method will be simply to don a hard hat, then stamp your foot.

 

[MDE]

Try the wallpaper stripper (as suggested) with some hot water first. If that doesn't work, then mix a strong wallpaper paste into the caustic soda, so that it sticks to the ceiling and leave it for 3 hours - then use the wallpaper stripper to get it off, but BE CAREFUL.