Posts Tagged ‘paint removal’

 

How To Remove Paint From Glass

Saturday, May 11th, 2013

How To Remove Paint From Glass - Handyman

It happens to the best of us: while trying to freshen up the trim around your windows, you unknowingly splatter paint on the glass. It’s a common mistake, after all, you’re probably not a professional painter.

If you realize the misstep, a quick swipe with a wet cloth can remediate the problem right away. But what if you are on a roll and just don’t see it? You may be left wondering how to remove paint from glass. Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered.

How To Remove Paint From Glass

1. Determine the type of paint (i.e. acrylic, latex, oil-based). Often the paint can will include a label with information on chemical solutions that will remove the paint.

2. Use a straight razor blade to lightly scrape off the paint. If possible, use a piece of cardboard to lightly press on the other side of the glass to prevent breaking. Rather than rubbing the blade, this step should focus on lifting the paint. When the blade gets dull, replace it. Pressing harder may break the glass.

3. If paint remains, use the correct chemical solution for your type of paint and apply according to product directions.

4. After removing the chemical paint stripper, wash the window with soap and water prior to applying a chemical glass cleaner. You do not want the chemicals of the stripper to mix with the chemicals of the cleaner, as it may create harmful gasses.

5. If small flecks of paint still remain, your razor should be able to remove them fairly easily.

Th-s process may be a bit time-consuming and require some elbow grease, but the result is a sharp, clean look to your home. After going through this process once, you will never again need to ask how to remove paint from glass because the process is relatively simple. You also may consider hiring a professional painter to avoid the issue next time altogether.

Further Assistance

If you are still having trouble, or have a massive project to tackle, you may consider hiring a professional handyman to remove the paint. TalkLocal can find you one in your area for free.

Paint Removal From Concrete

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

Paint Removal From Concrete - Handyman

Sometimes, homeowners will choose to paint the concrete foundation blocks of their home to freshen its appearance. If you have moved into a home where the previous owners chose a house paint in which this idea went horribly wrong, you may be considering methods of paint removal from concrete. While various methods such as sandblasting and power washing may work, the most thorough and trusted method is through the use of a chemical paint stripper.

What You Will Need:

– Chemical paint stripper

– Protective gear as described on the label of the substance

– Paint brush or air-free paint sprayer

– Scraper or squeegee

– Bucket and mop

Paint Removal From Concrete

1. After donning complete protective gear, apply the paint stripper to the paint using the brush or paint sprayer. Don’t use a roller, as it tends to have more back splatter and can be dangerous.

2. Once the layer wrinkles, it is ready to be removed. Use the scraper or squeegee to remove the stripper. A hose or power washer may be used for this step, but it can make for tougher cleanup in the yard or driveway. Run-off from chemicals can also contaminate local waterways.

3. Some paint may be left over after this step. Re-apply the paint stripper and repeat the process until all paint is removed.

4. After all paint is removed, fill a bucket with fresh water and mop the concrete clean.

Taking on a project of this magnitude can be intimidating. The perceived permanence of both concrete and paint may make it seem altogether impossible. With a little elbow grease and the proper precautions, you can increase the look of various pieces of concrete around your home immensely.

Too Much Work?

If solving the process of paint removal from concrete seems like more of a project than you want to handle, a qualified handyman can help you out. TalkLocal can find you one in your area quickly. Our service is completely free, and we can have you speaking with a qualified handyman in minutes.

Paint Removal From Wood

Saturday, April 27th, 2013

Paint Removal From Wood - Handyman

That robin’s egg blue dresser was probably beautiful once upon a time, but now it is peeling and drastically in need of a change. When you want to keep your furniture but aren’t satisfied with the look, you can solve your problem by learning techniques for paint removal from wood, and get your home looking beautiful again.

Tips For Do-It-Yourself Paint Removal From Wood:

– Know what you’re working with. Scrape some of the paint off to see how much you’re dealing with and try to figure out how many layers there are. If you’re working with really old furniture, you might find there is lead paint on the piece, so you need to follow proper safety precautions when working with paint.

– There are different methods for removing paint from wood, but the easiest is using a chemical stripper. This is a caustic, alkali chemical that is low in volatile organic compounds. Despite the safety of the product, you want to make sure your work area is well-ventilated.

– If you find that you don’t have a lot of paint on the product, or that it is a water-based paint, you may be able to use soap and water with a scrubbing brush to remove it. If you choose this technique, make sure you have multiple scrubbing brushes as well as old rags and fresh water to keep washing away the paint.

– You could also use a heat gun instead of a chemical stripper. This will heat the paint from the bottom up using infrared heat, making it very easy to scrape the paint away with no chemical fumes involved.

– Try to avoid using sandpaper. It is not very effective in paint removal from wood and it will tear at the original varnish.

– There are also paint solvents you could use in a well-ventilated area with gloves and a mask for safety.

When All Else Fails

If you find none of these techniques are working, or you need more assistance perfecting your refurnishing, we can connect you with the appropriate professionals in your area. TalkLocal takes the work out of the search and does the tough part for you. After all, you should be focusing on stain colors and drawer handles instead of tracking down the right handyman.

How To Remove Paint From Metal

Thursday, April 11th, 2013

How To Remove Paint From Metal - Handyman

From children’s bicycles to iron handrails, home and business owners often find themselves wondering how to remove paint from metal in order to repaint or create a new look for an old piece. The process is fairly simple, though more ornate pieces may require more hand working than a flat piece. This can easily be a do-it-yourself project, or else any handyman would likely be able to take care of it quickly.

You Will Need:

– Damp or tacky cloth

– Respirator

– Medium grit metal sandpaper

– Fine grit metal sandpaper

– Chemical paint stripper

– Paint brush

– Hose/water

– Optional: Sandblaster

How To Remove Paint From Metal

1. Be sure to wear a respirator to avoid inhaling dangerous metal flakes.

2. Wipe down the piece and remove dirt or rust flakes with a damp or tacky cloth.

3. Use medium grit metal sandpaper to remove any stubborn areas of rust, then use the fine grit to create a smooth finish.

4. Apply the paint stripper with a paint brush accordingly, per the directions on the can. Hose off to remove the chemical when finished.

5. If only a few spots remain, the sandpaper may be used to remove them.

6. Sandblasters are handy for larger and more stubborn projects. They can be rented by the day or purchased at a home improvement store.

7. Wipe down and clean the piece once all paint is removed.

Finding Reliable Help

If this process seems too complicated or time-consuming for you, one of the many benefits of a handyman is that they know how to efficiently work these kinds of projects. They know how to remove paint from metal quickly and safely.

If you are not sure how to get in touch with a qualified professional near you, check out TalkLocal. We connect you with local professionals quickly. You should be speaking to a handyman near you within minutes. The best part is our service is free! If your project has become too overwhelming, find a local handyman now.

Paint Removal From Brick

Thursday, April 4th, 2013

Paint Removal From Brick - Handyman

The natural look of brick offers a lot for your home, whether on the interior or exterior. If you have beautiful brick trapped under paint, these tips for paint removal from brick will help you get back the rustic look you were longing for once again.

Tips For Paint Removal From Brick:

1. Start out with a paint solvent. This should be a gel or a paste and it should be applied generously. Don’t hold back on it. That said, you do want to start off with a small test patch to make sure the solvent will work well.

2. After applying the gel or paste solvent, put some strips of a heavy duty material over top. As the paste gets softer, it connects to the material while disintegrating the paint. At this point, you can peel off the strips. Just make sure you don’t leave little paint chips scattered around your brick surface.

3. If you don’t have enough material, or are working with a significantly large area, just let the solvent soften and scrub it off of the bricks afterwards. Make sure you are using a stiff bristle brush for this so you don’t damage the brick.

4. After scrubbing, rinse the brick off with clean water. If you’re removing paint from a really big section, you might break it up into smaller sections and use more steps to make it more manageable.

5. After removing the paint, you might need to do more work with your brick surface. There might have been a reason why the bricks were painted in the first place. If they are damaged, faded or discolored, you might consider painting them a more natural looking color with only minimal coating. This will hide the damage and give you the brick look you love, whether you’re painting the exterior of your brick home, a fireplace or just a small section.

Seek Help

If this project is too big or too tough to do on your own, you may consider connecting with professionals in your area that can help. TalkLocal can take the work out of that search and connect you with the help you need. Just tell us what you need, where you are, and when you’re available, and we’ll connect you with the right professionals.