What is best (user-friendly) product to remove many layers of paint from exterior brick and stone?

Question

We are purchasing an old (over 100 yrs) brick home that has been painted multiple times. I firmly believe in no paint on brick. We are trying to find an affordable way to "clean" the brick without damaging it. Any help would be appreciated

Answer 1

You certainly don't want to blast it off by pressure washing or sandblasting. Bricks only have a very thin hardened outer surface, break through that and the rest will crumble very easily over time. Try to find out why the brick was painted in the first place, there may be something that had to be hidden with the paint and once you get the paint off, you may be faced with painting it again as the only economic option so whatever you do, budget for the possibility of having to repaint. There are paint removal chemicals often as a gel or foam spray, often involving laying burlap on the brick and peeling the paint off once it's attached more firmly to the burlap than to the brick, this won't work if the paint was diluted in the first place as it requires the paint to adhere to itself more than the brick.

Answer 2

While I agree with the no paint on the brick concept, this could be a disaster waiting to happen. Chases are the paint is holding together bricks that are damaged (or the mortar is worn off). Once you start taking the paint off, you might find a mess or bricks that aren't that attractive (because they weren't to begin with and/or because its tough to get all the paint off). Don't try sandblasting because that can really damage the brick if not done carefully. I would try a talking to a brick restoration company to see what they can recommend based on seeing it. (Try a local historical society to get some names) Here's more....



http://www.oldhouseweb.com/how-to-advice/brick-houses.shtml

Answer 3

The best method to use would be a product that uses a gel or a paste whereby you can apply the gel or paste and then apply fabric over that and peel off the paint,as you know lots of pre 1970's paint has lead in it so blasting it off wouldn't be recommended as that releases the lead particles and sends them flying everywhere,you could try the gel or paste method on a little area first and if you are happy with it then carry on with the rest of the house,good luck.

Answer 4

The easiest way to remove the paint from the bricks is to rent either a high pressure washer or a sand blaster, then just cover the painted surface with painters plastic and allot ot making tape and blast the unwanted paint off.

Answer 5

i use a pressure washer (3500 psi ) with a osolating tip and it only uses water, that type of tip is a must

Answer 6

difficult subject. try searching in a search engine. it might help!

Answer 7

very confusing stuff. look on to yahoo and bing. that can assist!