removing paint from tiles

[handyme]

what is the best way to remove paint from bathroon wall tiles

[manchestertiling]

Hi handyme

Gloss paint or emulsion? Gloss is obviously going to be more difficult than emulsion as emulsion should come off with a good scrub with a scrubbing brush or nail brush. Gloss or other oil based paint will prove to be more difficult as it depends on the type of tile too.

What type of tiles? Glazed or matt? Colour?

Some paint removers, turps etc may damage the colour in the tile so best to try a small out of sight secton of tile first

[paintpot]

If you careful and do it slowly, try a window scrapper, the ones fitted a stanley blade, providing there a smooth flat tile with a glazed front,,and a little soapy water and sponge/ scourer.
As said try a sample area out of eye sight first, good luck.

[bobbie-dazzler]

I had to do this about 18 months ago, the client thought it would be a good idea to paint his tiles, what a mess, so he hired me to do some decorating, and also get the paint of the tiles.
They were a dark blue, but fortunately they were emulsioned.

I tried everything, but what worked for me was wash down one area with really hot soapy water, and scrape of the paint.
Once the paint softened, it came off quite easy, the only down side was, that it was difficult to get it out of the grouting, so I had to use grouting pens.

[handyme]

Thanks for the tips on "Removing paint from tiles". Have taken all tips on board and will try. Have just discovered this site and my post last night was my first. So thanks for quick replies and no doubt will be calling on your experties again.

[brushmate]

Could try a steam stripper if the paint is emulsion.

[Only-Me]

Take the tiles off

[handyme]

Hello Brushmate,

I was just wondering if a steamer would work. It is emulsion, and a few weeks ago the expelair was broken in the bathroom and the emulsion started to peel around the edges.
So will give ir a try, thanks for your response.

[Geewizz]

Rapid and cyclical changes of temperature will cause disproportionate expansion and contraction between the tiles and the paint. Heat the bathroom to around 200C in a blast furnace and then quickly move it into an industrial frezeer and allow it to cool. Repeat the process until the paint has disintegrated and can be wiped off with a rubber squeedgee.
Then simply replace the bathroom into the gaping hole in the side of the house. Some jobs are really simple when you know the tricks of the trade.

[jugster]

I often wondered how you spelled "squeedgee"

[bobbie-dazzler]

Hello Brushmate,

I was just wondering if a steamer would work. It is emulsion, and a few weeks ago the expelair was broken in the bathroom and the emulsion started to peel around the edges.
So will give ir a try, thanks for your response.

I was going to use the steamer, but cause the tiles where really old, and some was loose, I was hesitant in using it.

I did find that by soaking with really hot soapy water, it came off quite easy, and the bits that didnt come off, I left to dry, then I just scraped the bits off, again, they came off, and there was no damage to the tiles.

[handyme]

Dear Geewizz,

When i read your posting i thought, , what is this guy all about, me being a female i thought "well maybe he knows better". Low and behold, men once again are right. It was a lot of work, especially getting some one that wouold allow me to put my bathroon in there industrial freezer.
Bathroom is looking great now, just have to put it back into the house.
Well worth the effort.....thanks geewizz...

[Geewizz]

I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures in the Showcase Gallery.

[manchestertiling]

nice post phil