Where emulsion is flaking off plaster, you can remove it with steam and a scraper.
Covering surfaces with emulsion paint is a common method of decorating. You can apply emulsion with a paintbrush and can of paint from a home supplies store. Emulsion paint is durable and if treated with care, the end result will last for many years. However, when it comes time to redecorate, removing emulsion paint from plaster can be a difficult and time consuming process unless you know a few handy tricks.
Instructions
1. Examine the surface of the emulsion paint to determine whether it's loose on the plaster. If it is, scour the plaster with a carborundum block. The block removes loose emulsion paint from plaster, leaving the underlying plaster work clear and ready to work with again. Carborundum blocks are available from larger home decor stores.
2. Boil a kettle. Hold the boiling water to the wall to apply the steam to the emulsion paint. This softens the emulsion, making it a little puffy and easier to remove. Scrape the emulsion off the plaster using a wallpaper scraper. Collect the emulsion scrapings in a bag while they are still soft, otherwise they can become attached to the floor instead. If a kettle and scraper are not available, a steam stripper is just as effective.
3. Apply chemical paint stripper to a cloth or old rag. Rub the cloth over the emulsion. The chemical stripper reacts with the emulsion, breaking it down and making it easy to wipe away. Wipe away any excess emulsion and stripper with another cloth or old rag to fully clean the plaster.
Related posts
Plaster coving may be covered with multiple coats of paint.Plaster coving, usually found in older homes, is very delicate. Your plaster may have been in its current spot for hundreds of years. In...
Plaster was common as a type of decoration during the late 1800s and early part of the 20th century. It was used in finials, medallions and other decorations used on the walls and ceilings of home...
Peeling paint can be an eyesore in your home.When you paint a plaster ceiling, the paint job can last for years. However, exposure to moisture, whether in the form of a leak or from consistent hum...
Wet plaster can carry a brownish hue.Many traditional and classical styled homes have thick, swirled plaster ceilings in dining and other formal rooms. Occasionally, these and other less formal pl...
Cover the flooring beneath the antique plaster walls with heavy-duty fabric drop cloths.If you need to remove peeling and flaking paint from antique plaster walls, you must use specific techniques...
