Home Garden

How to Remove Chalking Paint From an Exterior

After years of wear and tear from weather conditions such as rain, snow, ice, and sun, the paint on the exterior of your house can start to fade and get a chalky texture. Unfortunately, if the chalking is extreme, you may need to remove the old paint and paint again with a fresh coat. Removing the paint will likely be more difficult than repainting, but with patience, it can be done.

Things You'll Need

  • Hose
  • Detergent
  • Bucket
  • Ladder
  • Stiff brush
  • Power washer
  • Chemical paint stripper
  • Putty knife
  • Pole handle
  • Random-orbit sander
  • 80 grit sandpaper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spray off the chalking paint with a hose. For thin layers, this may be all you need to do.

    • 2

      Combine 1 cup of mild detergent with warm water in a bucket. Dip a stiff brush into the mixture, and use it to scrub away the chalk. Rinse with the hose again when finished.

    • 3

      Rent a power washer, if scrubbing did not remove the layer of chalk. Use the power washer according to instructions included with the washer. If the power washer can't complete the job, you will need to remove the coat of paint.

    • 4

      Use a water-based, nontoxic, chemical paint stripper to remove the paint. This is a safe option for DIY paint removal from the exterior of a home.

    • 5

      Apply the paint stripper to the chalking paint. The consistency of the stripper should allow it to stay on without dripping.

    • 6

      Remove the paint stripper with a 3-inch-wide putty knife. Attach the putty knife to a pole handle for high, hard-to-reach areas. At least one layer of paint will come off with the paint stripper.

    • 7

      Apply a second coat of paint stripper, if there is an additional layer of paint to remove. Again, wait the recommended amount of time, then remove the stripper and paint with a wide putty knife.

    • 8

      Sand the exterior surface using a random-orbit sander and 80 grit sandpaper. This removes remaining paint residue and prepares the surface for new paint.