Taking Old Paint Off Horsehair Plaster Ceilings

If you live in a home that was built before the 1940s, you probably have plaster walls of some kind. While plaster is a lovely finish for walls, it can have some restoration problems. Unlike drywall, plaster absorbs moisture, which makes paint removal difficult. Most paint solvents are absorbed into the plaster before they can work. If you want to remove the paint from a horsehair plaster ceiling, you’ll have to use a paste-like solvent instead.

Drop cloth
Rubber gloves
Goggles
Ladder
Sodium hydroxide paste solvent
Plastic spatula
Plastic brush
Sponge
Vinegar
Spray bottle

Instructions

- 1
  Set a drop cloth on the floor of the room. Cover any furniture with it.
- 2
  Climb the ladder and put on the gloves and goggles.
- 3
  Apply the sodium hydroxide paste solvent to the ceiling with the plastic spatula. Spread the paste over the entire ceiling about ½ inch thick. Cover the paste with the removal paper that comes with it.
- 4
  Allow the paste to dry for 12 to 16 hours.
- 5
  Peel the paper off the ceiling. Dampen the plastic brush or sponge in water and use it to remove any leftover paint from the horsehair plaster by gently dabbing and rubbing the ceiling.
- 6
  Pour the vinegar into the spray bottle and spray the entire ceiling with it. Allow the vinegar to dry. Apply two to three coats of vinegar spray to stop the sodium hydroxide from remaining active in the plaster.

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