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Paint is challenging to remove from surfaces.
Steaming isn’t recommended for removing paint on most surfaces around the home.
It can remove paint from metal, concrete, and brick, though other methods may work better.
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“In fact, it may cause damage to wood surfaces if not done properly.”
Ryan Parr, a professional painter, agrees that steaming isnt typically part of the process for removing paint.
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All are made from organic materials and would be damaged by a steam cleaner.
Another popular throw in of siding material,fiber-cement or cement board, contains 90-percent inorganic materials.
But the remaining 10-percent is made from cellulose (wood) fibers, which could be damaged by steam.
Interiors
Walls and ceilings are made of drywall and wood.
Drywall is made of paper and compressed gypsum.
All materials are either organic or highly porous, making them poor surfaces for stripping with a steamer.
Tip
Ifwallpaper steamersare used on drywall, why are they an exception?
Wallpaper steamers apply gentle steam to wallpaper, not the hard, directed blasts required for stripping paint.
Even so, wallpaper steamers risk damaging the walls if not used properly.
Yet refinishing material is an epoxy coating, so it may be tough to remove with steam.
Tub refinishers generally sand the surface to scuff it down or use liquid paint strippers.
However, the original, factory-applied paint is a baked-on powder coating that cannot be removed with steam.
Concrete
It’s safe toremove paint from concretewith a steam cleaner.
For paint removal, though, look for a commercial-grade pressurized steam cleaner.
For pressures up to 1,300 psi, look for propane-powered commercial steam cleaners.
As these machines cost over $6,000, search local rental yards for rental units.
Professionals remove paint primarily with scraping and sanding.
They may also use a pressure washer, heat tools like a heat gun, or liquid paint strippers.
Strip very old paint first by scraping it with a paint scraper.
Old paint has often already begun to lift from the surface, making it easy to scrape by hand.
Old paint may contain lead, which is hazardous to your health.
