How to remove paint from a wooden surface?

If you started a repair or just decided to upgrade the interior, then inevitably the question of removing old materials before updating. If we talk about paint, then with hard metal or concrete it's easy enough to remove it. But a porous tree is less docile. We'll figure out how to remove paint from a wooden surface, and whether you need to do this.

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Delete or not?

Before painting a tree, it is worth considering: should I put a new layer on top, or first remove the old one? The answer is not simple - first you need to evaluate the state of the previous layer:

1. If it is even, thin enough and has no visible damage - then you can process it with a nest, and this will be enough for painting the same type of paint.
2. If the layer is covered with cracks, the old paint is swollen in places or through it a tree is visible - it needs to be removed, cleaned and primed before new painting.
3. If you decide to paint a tree with a different type of dye, then the old layer must also be removed.

In any case, it is better to study the materials, how to remove the old paint from a wooden surface, and then make a decision.

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Methods for removing old paint

To properly remove paint from a wooden surface, you must select the correct method. On which option to give preference, affects a lot of factors that, if possible, you need to take into account as much as possible.

Factors:

• Kind of tree.
• Features of its decoration.
• Type of applied colorant on the surface.
• Thickness of paint.
• How firmly holds the paint on the surface.
• Budget maintenance activities.

Important! To accurately determine the type of colorant and determine the number of layers applied, additional experimental tests may be required.

But first you need to clarify what tools are required when performing the work.

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Tools and materials

For a new layer of paint to lie flat and not have to be repainted, it is necessary to remove the old paint from the wooden surface. To do this, you need to prepare well and collect the necessary tools beforehand. It should be noted that for different methods of removing the paint will need various adaptations.

Tools:

• Metal spatula, batching.
• Construction hair dryer.
• Drill with grinding head.
• Bulgarian with grinding wheel.
• Solvent.
• Protective goggles.
• Overalls.
• Gloves.

The selection of the necessary tools will depend on the amount of work and the way the old layer is removed.

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Removal Options

There are three main methods by which you can remove the old layer of paint from a tree. It is better not to hurry, and to study all the ways before starting work.

Methods:

1. Chemical method. It involves the use of special solvents and reagents, for example, a special means for removing paint from a tree.
2. Thermal method. Cleans the painted surface due to the action of high temperature on it.
3. Mechanical method. This is an option when you have to work with your hands. With it, the old layer of paint is mechanically affected.

Let's consider all the methods in more detail.

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Chemical method

How and how can dissolve and remove old paint?- There are many options. The essence is the use of solvents, concentrates, mixtures and reagents that soften and destroy the old paint to a state where it is easy to remove.

Basic rules:

1. It is most convenient to apply the reagents with a paint brush or a finely fleecy roller.
2. After application, some time is waiting for the reagents to start functioning. Removal of the softened paint is done by means of a loop or spatula.
3. Before applying this method, it is necessary to take into account the safety measures:
   • only work in a well-ventilated place;
   • Protect respiratory system with respiratory apparatus;
   • prevent the ingress of funds to the skin.

Important! The advantages of this method can be noted its speed, ease and lack of physical activity. Of the minuses, it should be noted that the price of reagents is often not cheap, and their disposal can cause difficulties. Also, the disadvantage is that most substances are toxic, have a pungent odor, and can cause poisoning in inattentive use.

There are options when the tool can be done by yourself. For example, from potassium carbonate and lime. But homemade substances are much worse cope with the task than their purchased counterparts.

Example:

It is possible to remove paint chemically using the most common alkali - caustic soda.

For this you will need:

• gloves;
• overalls;
• biting;
• brush for applying the solution;
• container for diluting the solution;
• itself is alkali.

Application:

1. It is necessary to wear overalls and protective equipment, then to prepare in a tank an alkaline solution and a brush to put it on an old paint.
2. Next, you should wait a little - as soon as the first bubbles appear on the surface, it can be removed with a spatula.
3. Proceed neatly, it is important not to damage the tree with metal objects. After the procedure, the surface must be degreased.

Important! If the layer of paint is very thick - then the best option is to make a paste based on caustic soda. For this purpose, an aqueous solution of alkali is prepared and after dissolution oat flour is added to it, and it is mixed until the liquid becomes pasty. Such a tool can be applied to stale paint or hard-to-reach places. It will take a little longer to wait, than in the first case, but after a while the paint will definitely come off, and you will only have to rinse the surface.

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Thermal version of

If you have a building hair dryer, removing the old paint from the tree is not difficult. The method of operation is very simple:

1. We connect a building hair dryer.
2. Hot air warms the painted surface.
3. Under the influence of the paint softens and bubbles appear on its surface.
4. Continuing to apply hot air, the paint is removed with a spatula.

For those who could not find a building hair dryer, there is a more budget option for this method. It will need ordinary foil and iron. The foil leans against the old layer of paint, and along it, through the fabric, conduct a heated iron.

Important! The advantage of this method is its low cost( with the account that you will not buy a building hair dryer), easy work with the device.

Of the minuses, you can note the high fire hazard, so when using this option, be sure to quickly extinguish the fire.

Also the disadvantage of the method is the impossibility of using it next to electrical appliances, sockets, and when removing colorants from plastic.

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Mechanical method

If there is no possibility to remove the old paint by the previous methods, there is the option of removing the old coating by physical influence. The process is long enough, but it can be significantly accelerated if you do not act manually, but work with electrical appliances that will help in removing the paint.

From such electronic assistants it is possible to apply a grinder with a special grinding disk, on which is put nazhdachka.

Tips:

1. In addition to nazhdachki, you can use other abrasive materials.
2. Remember about precautions - protect yourself from dust with a respirator, goggles, overalls and gloves.
3. To reduce the amount of dust, treat the surface with water from a spray gun.
4. When working with this method, it is important to understand what type of wood you are removing the paint from. Some soft rocks can simply not withstand rough handling, and their surface will be severely damaged.
5. It should also be noted that when choosing a coarse-grained nazhdachki, the surface can be severely scratched or on it may appear depressions. To avoid this, you need to select a smaller sandpaper and work without applying a strong pressure.
6. If scratches or depressions can not be avoided, the surface can be primed or treated with special wood filler.
7. If possible, mechanical removal of paint from wood surfaces is best done outdoors.

Important! The advantage of the method is the possibility of its application over a large area.

The drawback of this option is its labor costs and the possibility of severe damage to the tree.

All methods can be combined with each other, and used as a removal of old paint from wooden surfaces by mechanical method before the solvent, and before heat treatment.

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Not recommended

When it becomes clear how and how to remove old paint from a wooden surface, it is important to explore options that professionals do not recommend for use for various reasons:

1. Thermal version, using open fire sources. This method is too flammable, even on an industrial scale. Removing the paint in this way is too aggressive - can cause, if not fire, then the drying of wood and the breaking of the structure of the tree. This, in turn, either spoils the product, or greatly reduces its service life.
2. In the heat treatment, it is possible to separate wood with various resins that easily ignite, and also create an unwanted film on the surface. The resinous film can be a serious obstacle when applying a new layer of colorants.

When choosing the removal method, it is important to weigh all the pros and cons, to be guided by the safety requirements. If everything is done correctly - the result will not keep you waiting, and you can decorate the wooden surface the way you want.