Best way to remove gloss paint from Brick

[Beckmeister General]

I 've got a few odd bits of old gloss paint on my brickwork. Is there a product on the market?

 

[gnvqsos]

Use a matching brick or smaller and rub the paint off-I have used this method before -its cheap and may work for you too.Good luck

 

[Beckmeister General]

Thanks,

Simple and cheap

 

[and1c]

Use a matching brick or smaller and rub the paint off-I have used this method before -its cheap and may work for you too.Good luck

never heard that one before?????

In short.
Getting gloss paint off brickwork is nigh on impossible without damaging the bricks....but it all depends on the bricks porosity

Some bricks are much less porous than others (absorb less water or paint in this case) and if your lucky and have tough bricks then you can use nitromors, a big stiff scrubbing brush from your local hardware store.
You must also have a large bucket of clean water to hand and some clean cloths.
Thats the only method that has worked for me anyway and thats what our local paintshop guru recommended (run his own paint supplies business for 30 years!+)

Just Pour some nitromors in a shallow container, dip the scrubber in it and start scrubbing ONE brick with some paint on (preferably in a minimal visibility spot)...once the paint has come off or faded as much as it will, immediately swap the scrubber for a clean cloth.
Dip it in the water and clean the brick fully with fresh water to remove all nitromors.

Of course, the other method he said to me was to wait 10 years and the paint will flake off on its own

 

[londonman]

There's a better way.

Get some sodium hydroxide and mix it up into a stiff mix with wallpaper paste. Apply to the brick and leave overnight. Cover if rain expected. In the morning hose it all off. If you're unlucky then you may have to give it a second go.

 

[Beckmeister General]

Thanks for all your replies

 

[JohnD]

Of course, the other method he said to me was to wait 10 years and the paint will flake off on its own

may not work in my small town is an old shop with "SWS" and an arrow painted on the back wall, which has been there since at least 1945.

 

[and1c]

Of course, the other method he said to me was to wait 10 years and the paint will flake off on its own

may not work in my small town is an old shop with "SWS" and an arrow painted on the back wall, which has been there since at least 1945.

Hmm.
Well there goes that theory then John

 

[Beckmeister General]

This may be from 1945 as its a nazi sign

 

[JohnD]

no it's a sign for a static water storage facility used by the fire brigade during air raids.

 

[Paul-man]

There's a better way.

Get some sodium hydroxide and mix it up into a stiff mix with wallpaper paste. Apply to the brick and leave overnight. Cover if rain expected. In the morning hose it all off. If you're unlucky then you may have to give it a second go.

Sorry to bump/hj an old thread, but where would i get sodium hydroxide? is it white pellets/salts or would i get it in liquid form?

 

[Nige F]

This may be from 1945 as its a nazi sign

That would have been KDF Strength Through Joy

 

[cmother1]

You can get it from proper ironmongers/chandlers usually labelled "caustic soda" - and it really is caustic so be careful with it. If you get it on your skin you won't feel it until it's done significant damage (unlike acids that start burning right away).