Things You'll Need:
- Chemical paint remover
- Heat gun
- Scraper or putty knife
- Stiff non-metal scrub brush
- Trisodium phosphate
- Absorbent old blankets or old towels
- Kitty litter
- Pressure washer
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Step 1
Use a chemical remover, like Peel Away, that will remove up to 32 layers of paint. You apply it to the brick like frosting on a cake, then place their fibrous laminated paper over it. This is left in place until the paint is dissolved. Then you remove the paper and the paint comes with it. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when using Peel Away. This method works best for removing oil-based paints or multiple layers of paint.
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Step 2
Use a heat gun and a scraper or putty knife. Work on one brick at a time. Hold the heat gun a few inches from the surface, moving slowly back and forth, until you see the paint start to blister. Then take the scraper or putty knife and gently remove the paint. You may need a stiff brush to get the paint out of the crevices. When all paint is removed, scrub the wall with a stiff non-metal brush and a solution of 2 tablespoons trisodium phosphate to 1 gallon of water. This method works best on multiple layers of latex paints.
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Step 3
Power wash. This can be messy in an interior application, but not impossible. Protect the floor with absorbent material such as old blankets or towels, stacks of old newspapers or even a few inches of unused kitty litter. Using the lowest pressure level, begin at the bottom and finish one horizontal section before moving vertically up the wall. Follow the recommendations of the manufacturer of the pressure washer. This method works best on surfaces painted with only one or two layers of latex paint.
