Ready to paint the outside of your house but do not know where to begin? 

Are you overwhelmed with the choices at the home repair store? 

If you attempt to paint without learning the correct method, you could cause damage to your home. However, by using the correct methods and tools, you can successfully remove the exterior paint from your home.

In this article, you will learn:

  • Why removing old exterior paint is important
  • How to remove old exterior paint from different sidings
  • And more

Table of Contents

Exterior Paint Removal: Why It’s Done

If you want an easy way to update your house, or if your home is long overdue for a freshening up, the quickest way to do this is by repainting the exterior. 

Is there peeling paint on the outside of your house? This is a widespread issue that is often caused by moisture. 

The exterior paint job of your house can be negatively affected by the moisture from:

  • High frost
  • Humidity
  • Rain; and
  • Snow

Paint on the exterior can soften up and swell due to any form of moisture. As a result, the paint may blister, crack, flake, and peel off. When this happens, it is time to learn how to strip paint off a house exterior and get your house repainted. 

Sometimes we want to paint the outside of our house simply to increase its value. A simple way to do this is by keeping the exterior fresh.

Exterior paint also protects our home from natural elements. How? It works as an added layer of protection and helps to keep your home safe from:

  • Weather damage 
  • Insects
  • Dust; and
  • Rot

How to Remove Old Exterior Paint: 6 Different Techniques

#1: Propane Blowtorch

One way to remove exterior paint is by using a propane blowtorch. As the flame comes out of the torch, the heat causes the paint to soften. Once the paint is soft, you can easily scrape away the paint. 

Please be aware, the heat also softens the surface underneath the paint, so if a flammable material is underneath, such as wood, a fire could easily break out.

Since metal can withstand high heat, painted metal is the best option when using a blowtorch to remove paint.

There is another con to be mindful of when using a propane blowtorch for paint removal; if the house has lead paint, toxic fumes can be created by using this removal method. 

#2: Heat Gun

If using a propane blowtorch to remove paint sounds too risky for you, you might want to consider using a heat gun instead. In this method, the heat is pushed out of the heat gun by a fan inside the device. 

Just like when using a propane blowtorch, a heat gun causes the paint to soften. Once the paint is soft, you can scrape away the paint. 

Since heat guns operate at a lower temperature than a blowtorch, there is a decreased risk of toxic fumes, but the chance that you could set something on fire is still present. 

#3: Electric Sander

Electric sanders are another acceptable option for removing exterior paint. This removal method allows the paint to be cleared away quickly. However, if you are not careful, you risk pressing too hard and damaging the material underneath. 

As with the other paint removal methods, there’s the lead-based paint problem and there’s going to be a great amount of dust. Everything that the sander takes off is immediately converted into dust, and that dust can go into your hair, face, and lungs. 

At A1 Paint Removal, Painting & Restoration, we have experience with exterior paint removal using various methods. 

#4: Sandblasting

Another way to remove exterior paint is by sandblasting away the paint. Sandblasting involves spraying a surface with tiny abrasive particles. 

There are different abrasives available depending on the treatment needed. A few standard abrasives are:

  • Glass beads
  • Steel grit; and
  • Walnut shells

Since different abrasives have different textures, it’s essential to select the abrasive carefully. 

Sandblasting is a quick and effective way to remove exterior paint, but it can remove the wood underneath and cause a rough, grooved appearance to the wood. 

#5: Chemical Stripping

Chemical Stripping is another viable method for removing exterior paint. In this method, the chemical paint strippers are applied to the paint, and the chemicals in the strippers cause the paint to bubble and soften. Once this occurs, the paint is scraped away. 

Many different chemicals can be used for paint removal, and some are more dangerous than others.

If using this method for paint removal, be sure always to wear: 

  • Protective eye gear
  • Gloves
  • Protective clothing

If dangerous chemicals are a concern, some soy or citrus-based paint strippers also do a fine job of softening the paint for removal. 

#6: Scraping

The manual paint scraper is a dependable way of removing paint. It does take a good amount of physical work, but you have better control over the work surface than other removal methods.

Several different types of paint scrapers that can be used with this method: 

  • Putty knife
  • Multi-use painter’s tool
  • 2.5 inch two edge paint scraper
  • 3-inch heavy-duty paint scraper

Scraping produces airborne debris, so be sure to wear a facial mask and eye protection while using this method to remove paint. 

Exterior Paint Removal: How to Remove Paint From Different Exteriors

How to Remove Paint From Brick Exterior

Brick homes have a timeless and traditional look, but a painted brick house is not to everyone’s taste.

If you want to remove the paint from your brick exterior, it’s crucial to have the right tools. Some of these tools include: 

  • Drop cloth
  • Wire brush 
  • Paint stripper
  • Drywall knife
  • Peeling strips

There are several steps to take when removing paint from brick:

  1. Clean and prepare the area — move objects from the exterior and place a drop cloth where needed
  2. Test the paint to be removed — try different removal methods to determine which works best
  3. Remove the paint — use the appropriate method
  4. Dispose of waste — paint must be appropriately removed to prevent health and environmental issues

A1 Paint Removal, Painting & Restoration has been safely and effectively removing paint from brick since 1995. 

How to Remove Paint From Vinyl Siding Exterior

Unlike some other exterior surfaces, vinyl has no top layer that might peel away in removing exterior paint. This is a good thing because it makes paint removal relatively straightforward. 

When removing paint from vinyl siding, it’s essential to be mindful of the type of paint you are removing. Different paints require different removal methods. 

  • Wet water-based paint — use warm water and add detergent
  • Dry water-based paint — can be peeled or scoured off
  • Wet oil-based paint — cleaned with a petroleum-based product
  • Dry oil-based paint — must be scraped or chipped away

How to Remove Paint From Wood Siding Exterior

There are several different recommended methods for removing exterior paint from wood siding; including: 

  • Paint strippers — solvents that soften the former finish for easy removal
  • Heat gun — heat causes paint to loosen from the wood, which makes it easy to remove with a scraper
  • Power sanders — quickly scrape away the paint from the wood

A1 Paint Removal, Painting & Restoration: Professionally Trained In Exterior Paint Removal From Start to Finish

Are you overwhelmed with learning how to remove flaking paint from exterior walls? 

Let the professionals at A1 Paint Removal, Painting & Restoration tackle this project for you.

Family-owned and operated since 1995, we have years of experience in giving homes the curb appeal they deserve and always use the best and most current techniques in the business.