How to Remove Paint From Wall Brick

Removing paint from brick walls will require elbow grease and patience.

Brick absorbs paint, so getting the paint off this material is tricky. There a number of ways to remove it, from blasting, to chemicals, to abrasion. The first is expensive and requires some advanced skill. Abrading the brick--scrubbing it with another rough surface like a stiff brush--is another option. Chemical removers can also sink into the brick, and you still might have to do some scrubbing, but this method is a happy medium between the other two solutions.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• Hot, soapy water
• Stiff-bristled work brush
• Fan
• Paint stripper (paste or gel)
• Paintbrush
• Rags
• Cold, clean water

Instructions

1. Brush off the brick to clear it of cobwebs and dust, and then use the brush and hot, soapy water from a bucket to wash off more embedded dirt. Let the wall dry completely.

2. Open the window and turn on the fan to pull the air out of the room.

3. Smear the gel or paste paint remover onto the paintbrush and apply the material to an area of the wall the same size as one of the rags. Add a thicker layer of the remover to deeper or dirtier areas.

4. Cover the paint remover on the wall with a rag, pressing it flat, so that the paint solvent keeps it stuck to the wall when you let go. Wait five minutes.

5. Pull away a corner of the rag, which should come away with the old paint attached. Remove the whole rag if the first corner comes away with a majority of the paint underneath. Wait another two minutes if the rag and the paint do not let go easily and try again. Continue until you know how long the solvent needs to work.

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5, one section at a time, waiting as long as you need according to the first patch of work.

7. Reapply the paint remover to remaining paint, and let it sit at least 10 minutes before using the bristle brush to scrub the last of the paint.

8. Rinse off the bricks with cold, clear water, without soap, and let the wall dry.

Tips & Warnings

• If you choose to repaint the brick, use a material like latex paint that will let air and moisture pass through it.

References

• Bob Vila: Brick Basics Maintenance Care and Cleaning
• Paintersource: Stripping Paint from Brick