A chemical paint stripper is a simple way to remove paint from plaster walls.
Lath and plaster was a common interior wall construction technique before drywall came into popularity in the late 1950s. If you encounter a lath and plaster wall, chances are it has been around long enough to accumulate quite a bit of paint. An effective way to remove old paint from lath and plaster walls is with a chemical paint stripper. The stripper, once applied, will soften the layers of paint and make them easy to scrape away without damaging the underlying plaster.
Instructions
1. Lay plastic sheeting over the floor adjacent to the wall. Tape it to the baseboards to protect the floor from any runoff.
2. Scrape any loose or peeling paint chips off of the wall with your putty knife.
3. Paint the stripper onto the paint according to the manufacturer's instructions. Leave the paint stripper to work for the recommended amount of time -- usually 15 to 30 minutes.
4. Scrape the softened paint off of the wall gently with a paint scraper. Do not attempt to chip away any remaining, hard paint layers. This may damage the underlying plaster.
5. Repeat the application and scraping steps if any hardened paint remains on the walls.
6. Neutralize the paint stripper. Wipe the plaster wall clean with a rag soaked in water or the neutralizing substance recommended by the stripper's manufacturer. Wring and rinse the rag frequently as it accumulates residual stripper and paint. If the neutralizing agent is a chemical other than water, follow the neutralizing wipe with a fresh water wipe.
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