If you have walls that are painted badly, knowing how to strip paint off walls properly can potentially help transform a room.
Getting rid of the poor paint job is the first step, before looking at applying new paint correctly to give the room a professional finish.
Here we give you the low down on how to strip paint off walls, including the different techniques and tools you can use to give you a surface that is perfect for painting a room.
How to strip paint off walls
The state of the old paint on a wall will determine which method will work best for stripping it off. Any of the following methods will get the job done, but here we help you choose the best option for your particular paint project. In most cases you will need to combine a couple of methods to get the best finish.
1. Sanding
This is one of the more commonly used methods. This is typically used to help smooth out old paint (in good condition) to get rid of dried runs, uneven build up of paint across a wall and provide good adhesion for the new paint.
You can use an electric sander like this BLACK+DECKER 55 W Detail Mouse Electric Sander from Amazon. Or, for a more manual approach use one of the best hand sanders for wood and walls. Try a sander head on an extension pole for hard to reach areas and ceilings. Use a fine sandpaper grade such as 180 grit.
This can be a messy job so make sure to wear a mask and attach a dust extraction bag if you have one, or connect your sander to a vacuum.
2. Use a scraper
A scraper is a tool that can be used by itself or with any of the other paint stripping techniques in this guide. By itself it is ideal for removing peeling, flaking or bubbling paint.
Use a multi purpose paint stripper tool like this suokoun Scraper Tool from Amazon or invest in a set of wallpaper scrapers if you are only stripping smaller areas of paint off a wall. Work the area in all directions and make sure to get rid of all loose paint.
3. Chemical paint stripper
Chemical paint strippers are typically used for more stubborn paint jobs such as walls covered with an oil-based paint i.e. gloss, or varnished wood walls rather than emulsioned walls. Combine a paint stripper like this Kling-Strip from Amazon with a heavy duty long-handled wallpaper scraper for a quicker job.
Paint stripper creates a lot of mess, so make sure to lay down dust sheets and wear a mask and gloves when removing the old paint to protect you from fumes and skin burns.
4. Heat gun
A heat gun is typically used for stripping paint from wood, but it can be used on plaster walls as well. Put the heat gun on a low heat and hold around 10 cm from the wall and wait for the paint to soften enough to scrape off as you go. Do not hold the gun in one place for too long as you can damage the plaster.
5. Steamer
If you are struggling to remove wall paint with just a scraper, don't get too forceful as you will start damaging the plaster. To make it easier to remove it typically needs to be softened.
A wallpaper steamer like this BLACK+DECKER Wallpaper Steamer Stripper with Pad from Amazon is an effective tool. Set up the stripper and place the pad on the wall and leave for 30 seconds and test to see if the paint is soft enough. If not leave for longer and remove with a scraper. Ideally start at the top and work across and down the wall. Finish with a quick rub down with sandpaper.
FAQs
Why remove paint from a wall?
There are a few reasons why you should think about removing paint from a wall before applying a new coat.
- Old paint - The previous paint may have been left for years and may even contain lead if really old. Even though it may look stable, stripping back to the wall and prepping properly will give a much better surface to paint on.
- Peeling, flaking, bubbling paint - If the paint is visually unappealing and has noticeable issues such peeling, flaking, bubbling, you will want to remove and start with a clean smooth surface before you paint.
- Too many layers - The more layers of paint the more likely there is to be a problem. Each time a layer is added the more chance there is of it lifting off the surface. Plus, the build up of paint can emphasise previous poor paint jobs.
- Dark walls - To add a light colour over a dark colour typically means that you need to add more layers to hide the original colour. Removing the dark colour will ensure you get a true colour in fewer coats saving time and money.
What happens if you paint over old paint?
This will depend on the condition of the walls and the paint. If the plaster on the walls is in good condition, you just need to prep a wall ready for painting and apply your paint.
However, often the reason for stripping paint off a wall is because there is an underlying issue with the wall, for instance when painting a hallway. Typically this will be a damp issue which is causing the paint to flake, peel or bubble leaving an ugly surface that needs to be dealt with.
If you paint straight over an unprepped or poorly prepared wall the paint will not adhere as well to the wall and will eventually start to lift off the surface. So the simple solution is not to paint over old paint unless you have done your prep.
After stripping paint off a wall you need to make sure that you are painting your walls, skirting boards and trim the right way to get a decent like new finish.
