How to wash water-based paint from walls?

How to wash water-based paint from walls? - Everyone who wants to update the interior of the room faces a similar question. In the process of applying paint to the wall and ceiling, there is a high probability that minor drops will fall on furniture, flooring, clothing and other household items. Judging by the name of the paint, it should simply be washed off with water. Is it really? In our article, we selected the most effective methods tested by experienced craftsmen and simple housewives to help you deal with this problem.

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What is a water-based paint?

The most popular paint in construction stores is a water-based emulsion. Due to its components, the dye has a number of positive properties:

• Easy to apply on any surface;
• Has a diverse palette of colors;
• Virtually odorless;
• Easy to clean;
• It does not require special care in the future.

It would seem that having so many positive qualities, it makes no sense to look for a paint of a different composition. But the water emulsion has one, quite significant drawback - the difficulty of removing traces of spilled coloring matter. How to wash off water-based paint in this case?

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Wash off or not wash off water-based paint?

If the applied paint coat adheres firmly to the ceiling or walls, you can not rinse it off. A new coat of dye can be applied over the old. But before painting, the surface must be prepared.

Surface preparation before repeated application of paint:

1. Use a damp cloth to remove dust and dirt from the wall.
2. Allow the cleaned surface to dry completely.
3. Coat a dry wall with a special primer.

Important! For water based paints, experts recommend using an acrylic primer.

After the treatment, the new layer will evenly lie on the surface.

But there are situations when it is simply necessary to remove water-based paint from walls or ceilings.

To wash off paint is recommended in the following situations:

• If the paint on the ceiling in some places cracked, fell off or bubbles formed, it must be washed off.
• When carrying out major repairs of the room.
• If you plan to use a different type of paint on the wall or ceiling.
• The new tone you have chosen is much lighter than the old coating.

Important! No matter how many layers you apply, a dark color will appear through the new coating.

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How to get started?

Before proceeding with the direct removal of paint from the surface, it is necessary to determine the type of coating treated with the dye. The method how to wash off water-based paint will depend on this. You should also prepare in advance all the necessary equipment for this work.

• Lay a plastic film or newspaper on the floor so that all the debris from the wall does not contaminate linoleum or parquet.
• Prepare a basin or bucket of clean water and rags.
• You will need spatulas to scrape off any remaining paint.
• Find a soft-nap roller to wet the walls or ceiling with water.
• A brush with a metal bristle will serve to scratch the coating so that water gets inside the paint.
• Prepare sandpaper.
• Solvent or acetone will help to achieve a better result.
• Wear work clothes.
• Prepare a ladder or stepladder to increase access to surface treatment.

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How to wash off water-based paint?

There are several options for carrying out such cleaning. As already mentioned, the choice of a method depends on the coating from which the paint needs to be removed.

Mechanical way

When making repairs in an apartment or other room, the question often arises, how to wash water-based paint from the ceiling? In an effective and efficient way, the masters note precisely the mechanical removal of the dye.

Cleaning method:

1. Cover the floor with a film to prevent paint residues from damaging the floor.
2. In warm water, moisten a soft-nap roller and treat the area you are about to clean.
3. Leave the ceiling moist for 10-15 minutes.
4. Choose a spatula convenient in width and remove the remnants of softened paint.

Important! When working with a spatula, perform all movements in only one direction.

5. Rub the areas where the paint is poorly rubbed with a brush with metal bristles.

Important! This method is not recommended for use on surfaces prone to scratches, for example on linoleum. In this case, it is worth looking for a more gentle method.

Soap solution - a means for removing water emulsion

A proven method for removing paint at home is using a soap solution. Since the paint is water-based, using water to remove traces of it from the coating will be no less effective than applying the mechanical method. The only thing worth considering is that this method may take a little longer.

Mode of application:

1. Pour warm water into the prepared container and add soap or laundry detergent to it. Foam the resulting product thoroughly.
2. Using a roller or sponge, apply fluid to a contaminated area.
3. Leave the surface moist for 10-15 minutes to peel the paint off the wall.
4. Rinse off any remaining paint with a damp cloth, periodically rinsing it with water.
5. Finally, wipe the cleaned area dry and make sure that there are no traces of soap.

Important! If soap stains form on the coating, the cleaning process will have to be repeated, only without soap.

We wipe away dried spots from water-based paint

If during the coating of walls or the ceiling it was not possible to avoid the appearance of traces of paint on the linoleum, or if you did not notice and did not clean the flooring in time, take note of the following method.

Cleaning sequence:

1. To soften a dried stain, apply a small amount of water to the paint mark.
2. If the dirt is large enough, wet a clean rag and cover it with a stain.
3. Leave it on for some time so that the coloring matter peels off the floor.
4. Clean any residual dirt with a brush or a normal rag.

Important! To clean delicate surfaces like linoleum or parquet, do not use products that include abrasive substances and brushes with hard bristles, so as not to damage the flooring.

Solvent application

It is easiest and fastest to wipe away old traces of a water emulsion or several layers of such a coating using solvents. In this case, perfect:

• Formic acid.
• Isopropyl alcohol.
• Chloromethane.

These solvents are safe for the environment and quickly decompose, however, they have a very high consumption when used in large contaminated areas. You can use other solvents that can cope with the task.

Important! Before use, read the instructions and composition of the selected product.Often, toxic substances are added to the paint wash, which can harm your health.

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Special tools for cleaning walls from paint

In building hypermarkets on the shelves there are not only products for wall decoration, but also special means for easily removing them from surfaces. These products have different concentrations, so they wash off the dye from the walls and ceiling in different ways. Master builders in most cases recommend the use of the following tools.

Means for removal of a water-based paint "Manor"

Special tool for removing paint from wooden, metal and concrete surfaces. It contains no acids and alkali, so it will clean the surface in the most gentle way.

Important! The product has a gel-like consistency, so it can be used for both horizontal and vertical processing.

Mode of application:

1. To cover the wall with a tool, use a brush, preferably with a natural pile.
2. Leave on the surface for a while to soften the paint.

Important! The exposure time of the liquid will depend on the number of layers and the type of surface to be treated.

3. With a spatula, peel off the exfoliated paint.
4. Rinse off the remaining material with a clean cloth dampened with water.

Special tool “Set Boya Sokusu”

The substance will perfectly cope with the cleaning of wooden, metal and concrete walls.

Mode of application:

1. Apply a cleaning agent with a brush.
2. Leave on the ceiling for 5-10 minutes to soften the dye.

Important! The exposure time depends on the type of surface to be treated.

3. As in the previous method, use a spatula to remove the remains of the paint product.

Important! If the paint could not be completely removed, repeat the procedure again.

4. Finally, wipe the cleaned ceiling with a cellulosic solvent.

Important! This product is not suitable for use on plastic products.

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Surface cleaning of water-based paint with professional tools

To use this method, you need a special tool:

• Construction hair dryer.
• Drill with a grinding nozzle.

Important! If this tool is not available at home, there are companies that provide construction equipment for rent. Using a professional tool, the process of removing dye is much easier

The sequence of work with a construction hairdryer:

1. Connect the hairdryer to the mains.
2. Direct warm air to a painted wall.

Important! Treat ceilings and walls in small areas.

3. Scrape off swollen paint with a prepared spatula.
4. Remove residue from the applied coloring matter with a wire brush.
5. Finally, wet-clean the room.

Using a grinder

In most cases, professional builders remove an old or too thick layer of paint with a grinder. As an alternative, you can use a drill with a special round nozzle in the form of a brush with a metal bristle. You can get such a nozzle in a hardware store.

Important! In the process of removing paint by this method, a large amount of dust is generated, so it is better to use a grinder for floors and walls made of wood or concrete.

The sequence of operations is similar to the method described above.

Important! When working with a professional tool, be sure to wear safety glasses and a respirator.

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Recommendations for work:

• In order to effectively remove paint from walls and ceilings, apply water to small areas. Otherwise, the surface will have time to dry and the procedure will have to be repeated again.
• If droplets from water-based paint get on furniture and other objects, wipe them immediately, do not wait until it is completely dry.
• If paint gets on your clothing, rinse it thoroughly under water or pat it dry.

Important! Do not rub a fresh stain. By such actions you will only increase the amount of pollution.

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Stock footage

In conclusion, I would like to note that fresh stains from paint are much easier to remove. And having in stock effective advice on how to remove water-based paint from the walls, repair will be a pleasure, and the effort spent on your part is much less.