How to Remove Paint From Basement Walls
- 1). Remove as much loose paint from the walls as possible. Using a paint scraper, scrape off any peeling and flaking paint.
- 2). Put on rubber gloves, eye protection, full-length clothing and an organic vapor respirator to prevent exposure to the paint stripper. Turn off any furnaces, pilot lights and boilers to prevent causing a fire.
- 3). Apply one thick, even coat of chemical paint stripper over the remaining paint using a dispensable paintbrush. Follow the application directions on the product's label. Leave the paint stripper on the wall for the recommended amount of time.
- 4). Scrape off the softened paint residue and paint stripper using a plastic household spatula. Remove stubborn residue with the paint scraper.
- 5). Moisten a nylon scouring pad with water. Scrub the concrete wall with the moistened pad to remove the remaining gummy residue.
- 6). Wipe the concrete wall with paper towels until dry.
- 7). Examine the walls for remaining paint. If stubborn paint persists, apply another coat of paint stripper to the concrete. Use the same stripping process as previously until all paint is completely removed from the walls.
