FamilyWiggs
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How do I remove artex from what I think is a lath and plaster ceiling?
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Removing Artex
- Thread starter FamilyWiggs
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Flyfisher
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I've read that old artex can contain asbestos so any method that avoids creating dust seems like a good idea.
I found this interesting link, but I've no experience of the suggested product myself: http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/artex.htm
I found this interesting link, but I've no experience of the suggested product myself: http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/artex.htm
Schoolmarm
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My daughter has had great success gently stripping/tapping with a wide sharp scraper and hammer. It fell off in large pieces in some areas but other areas were a lot harder.
I did read that it melts with water so it might be worth scoring and soaking some parts that don't come off easily.
The lath and plaster ceiling has a few "dints" in it but mostly unharmed. The dints were where she was too rough :evil:
I did read that it melts with water so it might be worth scoring and soaking some parts that don't come off easily.
The lath and plaster ceiling has a few "dints" in it but mostly unharmed. The dints were where she was too rough :evil:
FamilyWiggs
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Thanks FF - interesting, but jolly expensive; £20 per 5m2.
Has anybody used it? Will it really strip the artex and leave the substrate untouched?
It says it is based upon a formulaton of "dibasic esters". Any chemists in the forum able to advise - can we make something up at home?
Has anybody used it? Will it really strip the artex and leave the substrate untouched?
It says it is based upon a formulaton of "dibasic esters". Any chemists in the forum able to advise - can we make something up at home?
FamilyWiggs
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Thanks 'Marm.
I'm nervous of damaging the plaster underneath; if I can avoid it I would prefer to. I have a lot of ceiling to remove. I suspect I may need to try 2 or three methods in different patches to see which is best.
I'm nervous of damaging the plaster underneath; if I can avoid it I would prefer to. I have a lot of ceiling to remove. I suspect I may need to try 2 or three methods in different patches to see which is best.
Schoolmarm
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I agree with a combi job.
I steamed it off a wall in a previous house (hideous scalloped artex on all four walls and a stippled artex ceiling). It was very messy on the walls (never tried a ceiling)...if you 'oversteam', instead of softening the artex, it simply reduces it to a gloopy paint-like substance. (and it smells like wet dog IMO)
Lime
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IME using a heat gun and sharp scraper while wearing a mask was the only method to remove it without damage to the plaster on both ceilings or walls.
Carol
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I steamed off a wall (!) and part of a ceiling fairly easily, revealing cracked but still lovely lime plaster. It was extremely messy and I was advised to wear a mask, but I completed it in an afternoon.
Dibasic Esters (DBE) paint strippers were originally developed by Dupont as an alternative for traditional strippers based on Dichloromethane (DCM) that are highly volatile and are considered to be carcengenic. The European Parliament voted in Jan 09 to ban DCM based strippers for this reason, despite it having c.75% market share. It is likely to be phased out over the next 3 years. More info on the health issues on paint strippers at http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1173854,00.html
DBE are low volatility solvents that are used to soften paint by gradually dissolving the paint & weaking the bonds. They are are typically a mix of 3 molecules that vary only in the length of the carbon chain (see http://www.sustain-ed.org/pages/Process/dupont_paintdetail.html) for chemical formulae. They are usually mixed with either DMSO or NMP (other solvents) to increase their effectiveness. After application the area is usually covered in cling film to which the paint often sticks. Any remaining softened paint is washed off with water. The advantages of these products (depending on what they are mixed with) is that they are usually biodegradeable, considerably safer to use and due to the high vapour point, don't require breathing equipment to be used in large areas. The major disadvantage is that they are considerably slower acting than traditional DCM strippers (e.g. Nitromors All Purpose), there is not the visible blistering showing DCM strippers at work and a number of people report that they are less effective.
If you use the product, let us know how you get on - once the ban on DCM is in force, DBE strippers are likely to be what most people will have to use.
DBE are low volatility solvents that are used to soften paint by gradually dissolving the paint & weaking the bonds. They are are typically a mix of 3 molecules that vary only in the length of the carbon chain (see http://www.sustain-ed.org/pages/Process/dupont_paintdetail.html) for chemical formulae. They are usually mixed with either DMSO or NMP (other solvents) to increase their effectiveness. After application the area is usually covered in cling film to which the paint often sticks. Any remaining softened paint is washed off with water. The advantages of these products (depending on what they are mixed with) is that they are usually biodegradeable, considerably safer to use and due to the high vapour point, don't require breathing equipment to be used in large areas. The major disadvantage is that they are considerably slower acting than traditional DCM strippers (e.g. Nitromors All Purpose), there is not the visible blistering showing DCM strippers at work and a number of people report that they are less effective.
If you use the product, let us know how you get on - once the ban on DCM is in force, DBE strippers are likely to be what most people will have to use.
FamilyWiggs said:It says it is based upon a formulaton of "dibasic esters". Any chemists in the forum able to advise - can we make something up at home?
Sorry didn't answer that - no, definitely cannot make this at home - you wouldn't be able to buy the raw ingredients off the shelf (you'd need a decent university lab to make them) and as http://www.eascr.org/documents/2005.11.1401-EASCRBrussels.pdf shows getting the mix right can make a big difference to effectiveness.