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 Gumby
I <3 science
Registered: 06/13/01
Posts: 12,827
Loc: Where god would give Eart...
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 Question about paint (on walls) and solvents.
#8369340 - 05/06/08 03:23 PM (5 months, 2 days ago) |
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Ok, so I am in the process of moving into an apartment that was built in the 1870s. Old city, old buildings.
Anyway. There's this one wall that is all wood paneling. Either the people who painted it didn't do proper prep work for the paint or there was water damage, but the paint has bubbles and is peeling. I've been using a putty knife to chip off the lose paint. It's getting very tedious because the paint will stop chipping in some places so now I have patches of paint that is caked on about 7 or 8 layers thick.
I could sand the paint off, but that would be a hell of a job. I was thinking about how I could make the work go faster and thought "Hell, why don't I just use a solvent to get this shit off?"
There's a problem with that though. I think the two freshest coats of paint are latex based. That means turpentine won't work for taking it off.
Does anyone know an all purpose solvent that can remove latex, oil, and (possibly) lead based paints?
Last question: given the age of the building, do you guys think that some of the paint could be lead based? If so, what precautions should I take other than a dust mask?
Edit: Mods, if you think this post would be better in another forum, feel free to move it. I put it here because I think the regulars here have better knowledge of solvents than a forum like The Pub.
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"No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the sources of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed, and love of power."
- P. J. O'Rourke
Edited by Gumby (05/06/08 03:26 PM)
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 biggysmall
Registered: 04/27/07
Posts: 1,270
Loc: your moms bedroom
Last seen: 1 month, 4 days
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 Re: Question about paint (on walls) and solvents. [Re: Gumby]
#8369448 - 05/06/08 03:52 PM (5 months, 2 days ago) |
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for your last question, it depends on the last time your apartment was painted. Can you ask someone to confirm the date?
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Gumby
I <3 science
Registered: 06/13/01
Posts: 12,827
Loc: Where god would give Eart...
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Re: Question about paint (on walls) and solvents. [Re: biggysmall]
#8369596 - 05/06/08 04:24 PM (5 months, 2 days ago) |
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Last painted within the past 3 years, I know that. Latex based paint all over everything. Then latex under that and then I believe it changes to oil based.
I wish I had a microscope so I could see the layers, that'd be neat. Perhaps I'll take a paint chip to work. 
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"No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the sources of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed, and love of power."
- P. J. O'Rourke
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sherm
sherman
Registered: 10/02/03
Posts: 13,713
Loc: Euthanasia
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Re: Question about paint (on walls) and solvents. [Re: Gumby]
#8369853 - 05/06/08 05:39 PM (5 months, 2 days ago) |
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when i have to paint something
i just knock off all the loose stuff and paint right over the rest
if it doesn't want to scrape off real easy, just leave it
unless you're trying to get real fancy, that should be perfectly acceptable
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wilshire
free radical
Registered: 05/11/05
Posts: 2,407
Loc: SE PA
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Re: Question about paint (on walls) and solvents. [Re: Gumby]
#8369899 - 05/06/08 05:50 PM (5 months, 2 days ago) |
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the only stuff you have to worry about scraping off is the stuff you *can* scrape off. if it's really stuck on there, there's no harm in leaving it up.
using a solvent to remove a coating from a porous surface not a good idea. nor is sanding old paint that may contain lead. just scrape off the loose stuff and wear a mask. then a coat or two of primer and you're good to go.
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automan
blasted chipmunk
Registered: 09/18/03
Posts: 4,390
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Re: Question about paint (on walls) and solvents. [Re: Gumby]
#8370068 - 05/06/08 06:29 PM (5 months, 2 days ago) |
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acetone would work, but you wont get it all off. it will turn liquid and fill the grains of the wood. most of it should come off, though.
ventilation is key, though.
ps: acetone will melt a lot of types of plastic, so check with a corner of your drop cloth to see if it holds it. it also doesnt hurt skin, per se, but if it absorbs, it will hurt your liver.
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wiccan you need a big glass of shut the fuck up ~ Stein
No, no, you're not thinking, you're just being logical. ~ Niels Bohr
I wish my lawn was emo, cuz then it would cut itself ~ paraphrased by coda
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Gumby
I <3 science
Registered: 06/13/01
Posts: 12,827
Loc: Where god would give Eart...
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Re: Question about paint (on walls) and solvents. [Re: automan]
#8370239 - 05/06/08 07:04 PM (5 months, 2 days ago) |
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That's kind of what I was thinking. Perhaps my lab will let me borrow some of the 100% stuff.
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"No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the sources of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed, and love of power."
- P. J. O'Rourke
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Effed
Registered: 05/15/02
Posts: 5,953
Loc: Far Left.
Last seen: 3 hours, 17 minutes
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Re: Question about paint (on walls) and solvents. [Re: Gumby]
#8371168 - 05/06/08 10:15 PM (5 months, 2 days ago) |
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Hi Gumby 
Whats up man? Coming to the gathering this year again I hope? It would be great to see you!
To answer your questions..
Use a mask when sanding and scraping, lead was banned from use in 1978 so chances are there are lead based paints underneath that top coat if the paneling is older than that.
Scrape off the loose paint and sand the surface all over to create a good bond. That is the most important step. Then clean it with a damp rag and a little mild soap.
I would not use any paint other than Sherwin Williams Superpaint or Sherwin Williams Cashmere. Superpaint for durability and Cashmere for ease of application and the most washable not to mention great looking sheer. Satin water-based paint is what you want for interior walls.
Have fun and welcome to my world I paint all the time...
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biggysmall
Registered: 04/27/07
Posts: 1,270
Loc: your moms bedroom
Last seen: 1 month, 4 days
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Re: Question about paint (on walls) and solvents. [Re: Effed]
#8372023 - 05/07/08 06:39 AM (5 months, 1 day ago) |
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You should also wear clothes that cover your whole body, i am sure you know that led can be absorbed threw the skin.
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Gumby
I <3 science
Registered: 06/13/01
Posts: 12,827
Loc: Where god would give Eart...
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Re: Question about paint (on walls) and solvents. [Re: Effed]
#8373547 - 05/07/08 03:19 PM (5 months, 1 day ago) |
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We opted for cheaper paint and went with Behr.
You think sanding everything is essential? I'm gonna have to see if my landlord has an electric sander. If not I'll rent one or something. The room is 15x10ft with 13 foot ceilings. Sanding by hand could take forever.
And of course I'll be at the gathering. I'm bringing OMR and perhaps someone else with me. I might have to bring my books to study for summer classes, but I'll be there
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"No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the sources of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed, and love of power."
- P. J. O'Rourke
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 Alan Rockefeller
Mycologist
Registered: 03/10/07
Posts: 5,517
Last seen: 53 seconds
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Re: Question about paint (on walls) and solvents. [Re: Gumby]
#8382598 - 05/09/08 05:53 PM (4 months, 30 days ago) |
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I was going to recommend sanding at first, but it would require a really good dust mask so you don't inhale lead dust. And at the end of the day, you'd still be covered in lead.
The best way I have seen to strip paint is to use heat. You can rent a paint stripper that is like a heat gun and paint scraper in one, those often work amazingly well. You can also use a regular heat gun and paint scraper at a much reduced speed.
I wouldn't recommend solvents because you will need to use a large volume and it would be hard to work on a wall that is covered with solvent without inhaling a bunch of the vapors.
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cricket
Lord Cricket
Registered: 08/29/03
Posts: 748
Loc: in my house, in front of ...
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Painted paneling is a never ending headache.
It's too easy to damage. Too hard to repair. It usualy looks like shit. You can't just sand the bad spots smooth and add another layer of paint. Even if you can get a smooth surface, the old paint will continue to fail with time. Chances are a fresh coat of wet paint will cause more blistering and chips.
There is only one right way to fix it.
Pull the paneling off, paint the real wall, and be done with it. Even if the wall is buggered up under the paneling, it would be easier to patch plaster or hang sheetrock then sand and repaint a full wall of paneling.
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I tried to leave my signature but it didn't work...
By the way... Does anybody know how to get sharpie markers off of a computer screen?
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RuNE
bomberman
Registered: 09/23/00
Posts: 2,218
Loc: tartarus
Last seen: 2 days, 8 hours
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Re: Sanding and/or solvents won't do any good. [Re: cricket]
#8386889 - 05/10/08 08:26 PM (4 months, 29 days ago) |
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^^ This.
I've done a lot of work in construction, and let me tell you..... building fresh and new, is 10x better, faster (and usualy cheaper!) than trying to fix something old. Tear that shit down, and paint over the wall. You'll save yourself a LOT of headache.
I honestly don't know how you can live in old buildings like that. They smell so bad sometimes, it's incredible.
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~Happy sailing~
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Gumby
I <3 science
Registered: 06/13/01
Posts: 12,827
Loc: Where god would give Eart...
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Re: Sanding and/or solvents won't do any good. [Re: RuNE]
#8390411 - 05/11/08 07:44 PM (4 months, 28 days ago) |
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Eh, you take what you get in an old city like this. This one was within my price range and the landlord is cool as hell, he's a drinking buddy of mine. I'm just going to scrape/sand what I can because I'm pressed for time. I'll get some before and after pics if I remember.
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"No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the sources of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed, and love of power."
- P. J. O'Rourke
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