Gently remove a small section of paint and test it with a lead testing kit.
Brick may also be painted to seal moisture or conceal imperfections like cracked and damaged brick.
You will apply two and sometimes even three layers of paint stripper.
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An average-sizefireplaceis about 25 square feet.
Six linear feet of an interior brick wall is about 48 square feet.
Warning
Pure acetone is an aggressive option for removing paint from brick.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
If the sample tests negative for lead, proceed with removing the paint from the brick.
If lead is detected in the paint, a lead abatement contractor will be required to perform the job.
Extend the sheeting on the ground by at least 6 feet and on the walls by 3 feet.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Cover all nearby furniture or other items that cannot be removed.
Clean Brick
Add theTSPand warm water to the clean bucket.
Wearing kitchen gloves, clean off heavy deposits of soot on fireplaces.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Only clean the brick if it is particularly dirty.
For minor dirt and dust, skip the cleaning step and proceed with stripping the paint.
Apply Paint Stripper
Using a paint stripper is the easiest way to remove paint from brick.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Wearing protective gear, brush the paint stripper onto the brick.
Apply the stripper in thick layers, as thin layers dry too quickly.
Vinegarcan also be used to remove paint from brick.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Scrape Paint
Test the paint with the putty knife to assess its degree of solidity.
Scrape away the paint and deposit the remains in the trash bag.
Apply Second Coat of Stripper
Some paint will remain after stripping off the initial layer of paint.
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Remove Remaining Paint
Scrape off the second coat of paint with the putty knife.
Immediately rub the brick with the steel wool or the steel-bristle brush to remove the rest of the paint.
Call a professional abatement company if the paint on the brick tests positive for lead.
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A paint stripper is a better option thanpaint thinnerfor brick.
Painting brick, especially on a home’s exterior, can be an expensive process.
If your home’sexterior brickis painted, this can increase itsresale value.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Get The Facts: Methylene Chloride.Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, Toxic-Free Future.
What You Should Know About Using Paint Strippers.U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2013.
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Acetone.National Library of Medicine.
