How to wash water-based paint from the ceiling?

Probably, there will not be a single person who, starting to repair, would not hear about water-based paint. Environmental friendliness and safety for health, economy of spending, variety of colors and luxurious gradation of shades, ease of use - this is not a complete list of the benefits of a water emulsion. But if you wanted to refresh the ceiling with a new layer of paint or radically change its appearance, you probably wondered - how can you wash off the old water-based paint from the ceiling? The question is correct. Because it is still desirable to remove the previous layer so that there are no unpleasant surprises after repairing the ceiling: an aqueous emulsion may not be compatible with a new type of coating. Also, a fresh finish can be spoiled if the next tone during painting is lighter than the previous one or blisters, cracks and bubbles form on the old layer.

Water flushing

If the old paint is not waterproof, you can wash it off with plain water.

For work you will need:

• ladder;
• putty knife;
• roller on a long handle;
• brush with metal bristles;
• bucket with water;
• respirator and glasses.

Preparatory work

A good start is the success of the whole thing. Simple actions at the very beginning of the work will facilitate the entire subsequent process and save time and energy.

So:

• floors, furniture and things must be covered with a protective film;
• prepare a stepladder or table;
• pick up a bucket of water;
• wear glasses and a respirator.

Soaking old paint

• With a roller on a long handle, you need to moisten the old paint layer with water and leave it for 15 minutes, after which again walk on the ceiling with a wet roller. The coating should soak and become malleable.

• With a spatula, tear off the wet mass, periodically again wetting the unsuitable areas.
• Sand the cleaned ceiling to the very bottom.

Tip. It is possible to simplify the soaking of the old layer by adding a bubble of iodine in a bucket of warm water. And if after that create a draft in the room, the paint will swell and it will be easier to clean the ceiling. The composition on an acrylic basis will be easier to remove if vodka or salicylic acid is added to soapy water.

Special flushing

If you used a waterproof composition when painting the ceiling, it will be very difficult to rinse it with plain water. In this case, you can use a special active agent - washing off the paint. The solvent penetrates into the old layer, softening it, so removing the expanded paint with a spatula will not be difficult. It disappears well in the first minutes after applying the product. Each type of paint has its own solvent, but it’s easier to choose a universal one.

Types of washing emulsion ink

• DOCKER S4 is a universal quick-action solvent (4–8 min.), Ready to use. Flushing, due to its gel-like viscous structure, is conveniently applied to the ceiling. In the first minutes of exposure, the emulsion begins to bubble, and it can easily be removed with a spatula.
• ELKON S is suitable for removing old paint from brick, concrete and metal substrates. Effectively cope with silicate, silicone, acrylic or mineral water-based paint. Its advantages: versatility of application, speed of exposure (10–30 min.), Removal of up to 3 coatings of paint and varnish coatings at a time, non-corrosive (does not destroy surfaces).
• APS-A77 will help clean almost all types of surfaces from paintwork. The reaction time ranges from 2-10 minutes. (for single-layer surfaces) up to 1.5 hours (in the case of thick coatings). The advantageous difference of this washing is in relative safety: the product does not contain aggressive substances phenol and monoethanolamine.
• Washing FAYL-4 - a solvent in the form of a thick liquid. The exposure time is 15-60 minutes.

Important! Rinses are chemicals containing substances hazardous to health and the environment. When working with them, you need a respirator, glasses and gloves, and the room should be well ventilated!
After working with the product, the remnants of the wash must be washed off the ceiling with water or a special detergent.

The algorithm for working with washes is similar to washing off paint with water:

1. The entire surface of the ceiling is scratched with a wire brush. The water-repellent layer will be broken, and the product will more easily soak the old coating.
2. The ceiling is lubricated with a solvent with a brush or roller, and the time indicated on the packaging is maintained.
3. The separated paint layer is removed with a spatula.

Tip: you must not allow the exposure time to be exceeded for more than the specified time, otherwise the dried product will turn from an assistant into a problem that is not easy to fix. A wash will also help to deal with paint stains on the floor and some objects (carefully read the recommendations on the label and clearly follow the instructions).

Mechanical way

Waterproof paint can be removed using a drill with a grinding nozzle. The disadvantage of this method is the large amount of dust generated during this. Partially correct the situation will help protective film on the floor and furniture and a damp cloth at the entrance.

To work, you will need:

• ladder;
• respirator and goggles;
• drill with a grinding nozzle.

A nozzle with metal bristles will help to quickly clean thick layers of paint in those places where it could not be washed.

Thermal method

You will need:

• ladder;
• building hair dryer;
• scraper or putty knife;
• sandpaper;
• sponge;
• water.

In this case, small areas of the old paint coat are heated with a building hairdryer. Under the influence of heat, the paint peels off, and it can be easily removed with a scraper or spatula. The remaining areas are cleaned with a brush and sandpaper, and after that the ceiling is washed well with a damp sponge.

Using wallpaper glue or paste

Necessary tools and tools:

• ladder;
• putty knife;
• old newspapers;
• wallpaper glue or paste;
• sponge.

Glue newspapers or any other paper onto the ceiling over the paint. Let it dry well and, tearing off the newspaper with a spatula, tear them off the ceiling together with paint. Modify the remaining areas after cleaning with a spatula or brush. This method has a slight drawback: the drying process of pasted newspapers can take several days.

Tip. It is necessary to stick paper on the ceiling very carefully so that it lays evenly over the entire surface, without air voids. In this case, the paper will be easy to peel off with ink.

Which method of removing old paint to choose - you decide. The presence of the necessary tools and funds allocated for the repair budget, dexterity and experience will help to determine correctly.