Paint is stripped away by the passage of time. You’re here because you are specifically interested in how to remove spray paint off of water damaged ply.
When it comes time to redecorate, you reach for the paintbrush and the can of brightening spray. A coat of paint can transform dull walls, floors, and even the ceiling into something more alluring.
However, you might agree that the condition of a material’s color can be used to determine its age. Paint deteriorates over time, but it is also damaged by natural occurrences and destruction, such as water and weather conditions that cause it to fade.
On the other hand, ply is made of layers of wood-based material so you might also seek an answer to “how do you treat water damaged wood.”
Let’s begin by figuring out what kind of paint needs to be removed.
Types Of Paints
Choosing the right spray paint for your ply can significantly impact how it looks, sticks up, and works.
General-purpose paint
It can be used on most indoor and outdoor surfaces and various materials, including wood.
Oil-based
A primer is not needed with oil-based spray paints in most cases because of their high resistance to chipping and corrosion.
Latex paint
For better adhesion, it contains a resin made of acrylics or polyvinyl.
Tips
Use an alcohol-soaked white cloth to see if the current wall color is water-based or oil-based (in an out-of-the-way spot). The paint is water-based if it begins to soften and transfer to the cloth.
If the alcohol doesn’t remove any color, then it is oil-based.
Spray Paint Removal Sorted By Type
Method #1. Chemical paint strippers
Chemical paint strippers are one of the fastest ways to remove paint from wood. When it comes to removing paint from a large area, a chemical paint stripper is the most efficient method because it dissolves the paint quickly.
Step #1. The first step is to prepare for chemical strippers by putting on a protective mask, goggles, and gloves.
Step #2. Place a plastic sheet on the surface you don’t want to be affected. In this way, you avoid contaminating a surface with a paint stripper.
Step #3. Using a plastic bowl, add some paint stripper.
Step #4. Put a new coat of paint stripper to the ply with a paintbrush. Allow the paint stripper to sit for 15 to 20 minutes after liberally applying it.
To determine if the latex paint can be peeled off, proceed to Step 5.
Step #5. A sign that it’s ready is the formation of bubbles and a supple texture.
Step #6. Pull off the soft paint in the direction of the wood grain using a plastic putty knife tilted away from you. The more you can peel, the better.
Step #7. In a separate bowl, place the mineral spirits. Mineral spirits can be used to clean brass-bristle brushes or steel wool pads.
Remove lead-based paint residue by scrubbing the wood even more thoroughly.
Step #8. Using a damp rag, clean the ply and allow it to air dry.
Step #9. Clean the paintbrush, steel wool, or brass-bristle brush in mineral spirits and store it away from children. Dispose of the plastic sheeting’s debris.
Method #2. Household ingredients used to take off latex paint from the surface
Step #1. Mixing 1:3 rubbing alcohol and lemon juice or pouring 4 tbsp of lemon juice into a cup of rubbing alcohol can be a substitute.
Step #2. You can spread your mixture on a soft and white piece of white cloth.
Step #3. The white cloth should be saturated and rubbed over the latex paint stain.
Step #4. This step should be repeated as many times as necessary to ensure that the latex paint stain has been completely removed.
Method #3. Instructions for removing oil-based paint
Once it has adhered to a surface, oil-based paint is harder to remove. Wood objects and surfaces are particularly well-suited to the adhesion of oil paints.
It is possible to remove oil-based paint and give wood furniture a fresh coat of paint.
Step #1. Using a chemical paint stripper, coat the surface thoroughly with oil-based painted wood. Paint small sections of wood with the stripper.
Step #2. Ensure the chemical stripper gets into the cracks and crevices to remove all paint. Let the chemical stripper remain on the ply for the recommended time.
Step #3. Scrape off the soft, pliable oil paint. To remove the paint, use a plastic putty knife.
A toothpick can remove paint from wood cracks and crevices. Dispose of paint in a paint waste unit.
If not all of the paint has been removed, reapply a second coat of chemical paint stripper and repeat.
Step #4. Use a damp, soft cloth, and a chemical stripper to remove excess paint.
Removing Paint From Ply Surface: Safety Guidelines
- The first step in any standard painting project, including water damage repair, is to clean the surface of the damaged area by wiping it down.
- Clean the area with a damp cloth and allow it to dry before moving on to the next step.
- Gather all of your materials and tools. A well-ventilated room is a must.
- Wearing old clothes is a good way to save money.
- Chemical paint strippers emit toxic fumes. Follow the directions if they state that you can only use it outside.
- When working with hazardous materials, wearing gloves and a face mask is always a good idea.
- Place a piece of old newspaper, tarp, or drop sheet under the item you’re working on.
- Never leave the lid open if you don’t want fumes to seep into your workspace.
Conclusion
With all the methods we’ve discussed, the steps on how to remove spray paint off of water damaged ply are no longer a dreadful task. At the very least, that is how I assume you are feeling at this point.
Water can penetrate the ply and start rotting when the moisture content reaches 20 percent. It’s much more likely that you’ll notice mold growth and cause damage to paint.
You can also check this related article on how to repair water damaged plywood. Keep in mind that the most efficient method will be determined by the condition of the damage, the type of paint, and the number of layers.