How to remove old paint from the floor?

Repair is a delicate matter, especially when the repair is cosmetic, and the line comes to removing the paint from the floor. Work with coatings as accurately as possible. To save time and nerves you will be helped by the correct preparation for repair and advice on how to remove old paint from the floor.

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When is it necessary to remove the paint?

If we talk about the repair of the floor, which is painted on, then first you need to remove the previous layer. There are options when a new layer is applied to the old one, but this will necessarily affect the quality of the painting. The main problems with the application of new material in this way may be unexpected cracks that go back to the old coating, and if the layer was initially thick enough, then the door may not close after the new layer near the threshold.

There are several common problems in which it would be nice to clean the floor of the old paint:

1. If there are scuffs, you can leave the floor as is, or you can paint it again.
2. If the floor begins to turn yellow and flake off - this means that the paint has expired, which is usually written on the package. If it is not removed in time, the floor can deteriorate so much that it will have to be overhauled.
3. Removal of the coating is also necessary if repair requires the alignment of the surface.
4. Before laying tiles on the floor, it is also better to remove the paint, since the surface will not have the necessary grip.
5. If you want to change the color or texture of the floor.

Today there are a lot of options how to remove old paint from the floor, but first you need to determine the type of coating.

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Define the type of coating

To remove paint from the floor, you need to start by defining its type. Variants of floors that cover with a little paint.

Filler floor

With this coating removal will be very easy. Complexity can arise only if at installation there were hollows in it, which were painted additionally during painting. But here you can not panic, because the paint from the depressions quickly enough to be removed manually.

Tile and linoleum

To remove paint from a tile or linoleum, it is better to contact a professional, but if you still decide to repair yourself, then only use a construction hair dryer.

Wooden floor

Remove the paint from such a coating is not difficult, because the tree is soft and pliable. It is important not to forget about precautions when working with any solvents and tools and to check how the floor is fixed. If the fastening was done on nails - then power tools for floor repair should be used with greater care, otherwise - they can hook on the nail and break.

To fully understand how to remove old paint from a wooden floor, you need to know the possible ways to remove it. This we will discuss below.

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How to remove old paint?

If you asked this question, you should find out what methods exist. The most common methods of removing paint from are:

• chemical;
• mechanical;
• thermo-mechanical.

Chemical version

Various chemicals can be used to remove varnishes: acids, solvents or alkalis. The method is fairly simple, but it should be noted that chemicals can be dangerous and toxic to humans. Therefore it is necessary to be guided by common sense and safety precautions.

The method is incredibly simple:

1. First determine the type of paint and suitable solvent for it.
2. The solvent is then applied to the surface and left for 5-30 minutes.
3. After - the paint is removed by hand mechanically.

If the coating is not completely removed, then the procedure is repeated after a while. The small remaining areas after all procedures are washed with water.

Important! If the coating is old, then the solvent may not take it from the first time.

The method is ideal for acrylic paints, as well as for removing its traces from glass surfaces.

Remember that the same solvent is not suitable for all types of paintwork, and mixing of unsuitable paints and solvents can cause irreversible effects. Therefore, before using this method it is better to consult with professionals.

Mechanical version of

This method involves the use of power tools or special tools for manual cleaning, for example:

• grinding machines;
• jigsaw;
• sprayers;
• brushes;
• sandpaper;
• spatula.

The mechanical variant can be divided into manual and electromechanical. .

Electromechanical method

If one speaks of a mechanical version using an electric tool, usually means grinding machines. To remove the old paint from the floor, use a special nozzle with a wire brush.

Important! Experts also recommend the use of surface grinders or milling cutters, but they are not suitable for all types of painted floors.

There is another way of electromechanical floor cleaning called abrasive treatment. The essence of it is as follows: using a special electrospray on the old floor, direct a water or air jet with particles of abrasive powder.

Important! Before using this method, it is not necessary to treat or wash the surface, together with the paint, the sprayer will blow away all the dirt and wipe the paint even at the joints.

If the special tool is not your option, you can try to remove the paint from the floor by hand mechanically.

Manual method

For manual removal of the paint from the floor, use the following tools:

1. Hammer. A fairly rigid method, usually used when removing oil types of paints and is suitable for prefabrication to work with tiles.
2. A metal brush is perfect for removing peeling paint from hard coatings.
3. Fixation or sharp spatula. These tools well clean small surfaces from wax, varnish or cracked paint.
4. The chisel will approach in those cases when to remove an old paint from a wooden floor it does not turn out anything another. When working with a chisel, you can simply remove the top of the floor.
5. Other types of hand tools.

Important! Hand tools are convenient to use if you want to remove a small area of ​​paintwork. This option is available to everyone and is universal. With it, you can remove varnish, resin paints, glue, enamels and nitro-dyes. Of the minuses of this method, it can be noted its labor costs.

Thermal-mechanical version of

This method is that the coating is heated by any available method before softening. After which he is removed by cycling.

For heating you can use:

• industrial dryer;
• soldering lamps;
• gas burners.

Operating procedure by thermal method:

1. The floor is heated by holding a heating tool in one hand, and all incoming air is directed to the coating.
2. As soon as the paint becomes soft, the other hand scrape off the paint with a peck or spatula, following the air stream.

Important! Before work, you need to practice, because work with fire is dangerous, and when both hands are involved, the difficulty increases.

This option is simple and quite effective, but like any other has its advantages and disadvantages.

Of the cons we can note:

1. High hazard when working with fire.
2. Also, when heated, the paint can begin to emit unsafe for human poisons.
3. The main drawback of this method is that it is not universal. It can not be used on plastic surfaces, as they will melt faster than the paint will go away, and for concrete or thick metal this method simply will not work. But this option is perfect for wooden floors, especially those with a thick coat of paintwork.

Advantages - this method allows you to immediately apply new paint on the cleaned surface, it no longer needs to be dried. This significantly reduces repair time.

Important! All presented variants can be combined, and for example to use electric tools in combination with solvents, but necessarily in accordance with safety regulations.

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Precautions

Whichever method you choose to remove the old paint from the floor, it is important to follow the safety instructions:

1. When working with chemicals, protect the skin and respiratory tract. Do not forget about rubber gloves and a respirator. Instructions for chemical agents must be read and used before starting work.
2. When working with electric tools on a wooden floor, there is a risk of hitting the nails sticking out in it. Therefore, before starting work, remove or drown all the protruding elements.
3. When working with a drill or bulgarian, wear protective goggles and carry out all work in the respirator.
4. If the work is done in a thermal way, then you need to be extra careful. To avoid burns, it is recommended to work in heat-resistant gloves, and also to ventilate the room, as the fumes from the molten paint are toxic.
5. With manual mechanical removal of the decorative coating based on the paint, protect yourself from accidental cuts.

When it becomes clear how to remove paint from the floor, it remains only to determine its appearance and choose the appropriate option.

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Determine the type of paint

In general, paint and varnish coatings are represented by oil, acrylic and water-emulsion types. All of them have their own advantages and disadvantages, and also differently adhere to different types of sexes.

Oil

This is one of the most difficult coatings, especially in combination with concrete. Therefore, remove the old paint from the floor, if the basis of this type of material is very difficult.

These solutions are usually applied in several layers, which greatly complicates the work to remove the coating.

Important! For removal of oil compositions, both mechanical work and chemical or thermal methods are suitable. But the best result is provided by a combination of methods.

Acrylic

If acrylic is fresh, then it is easy to remove using an ordinary damp cloth. If the surface has been covered with paint for a long time - then manual mechanical method or heating will perfectly suit. Also, acrylic is readily soluble in alcohol and in solutions based on it.

Water emulsion

This type of paintwork is not suitable for transferring water procedures. Therefore, the most gentle option for removing this type of paint will be wetting the surface with water or a solvent, and removing mechanically. Also, the thermal version of the removal will help to quickly cope with the task.

In conclusion, it can be noted that the answer to the question, how and when to repair the floors, will always remain just for you. But if the floor is painted - then before the beginning of the repair work, the paint must be removed. There are a lot of ways, and it's up to you to decide which one to choose. We hope, with the help of our tips in this article, you managed to determine a suitable option for yourself.