Removing Emulsion Paint from Oak timber beams

[Steven Adderley]

Hi,

We have just moved into a 16C cottage where in a couple of rooms the original oak timber beams have been painted over with white emulsion. Does anybody know of the best way to remove this to restore the rooms back to their original condition?

Thanks in advance.

Steve

 

[Andrew Bodenham]

It'll be a long and arduous job, however you go about it.

Meths works as a good solvent for emulsion paint. You might also try steaming it off with a wallpaper stripper or steam cleaner - it depends how well adhered it is. Do small test areas first to see if you can get back to a clean surface. The emulsion may be just the first layer of your problems!

Good luck.

 

[DJN]

Hi

I have had a similar problem; beams covered with all types of paint inc. gloss.

I removed most in the first hit with a sanding disk on a 115mm grinder, it has left a few flecks of paint but looks ok (Very dusty though).

I know a few who have sand blasted, but this takes out the softer grain if done too much and resembles a fossil (also very dusty).

Rgds

David

 

[Mark]

Is it listed?

 

[Nemesis]

Not blasting... and also I would only sand off as a last resort. You can remove a great deal of the character and finish too.

But if listed then yes it will need discussion with the CO,and if not I'd try stripping if you really want the paint off.

I'd try a small area first, you might not like the result.

 

[MdB]

Watch out for lead paint too. Another reason not to sand blast / mechanically sand.

 

[Nemesis]

Strippers of Sudbury is a good place to start.

 

[skier-hughes]

Strippers is a great place to start.

See my many pictures here, you'll have to wade throught hem I'm afraid, to find Kling strip gone on and covered in plastic, to the upper rooms which have had some beams stripped.

Kling Strip is hard work, but once you've finished you're darn pleased you did it.

http://www.myvideoproblems.com/testfiles/personal/kitchen/kitchenhole.htm

Graham

 

[Paul D]

Hi, we used any kind of paint stripper and lots of wire wool and scouring pads. Plenty of soapy water and alot of elbow grease. As said before, very hard work, but well worth the effort, good luck, Paul.