How to Remove Chalky Exterior Paint

Exterior paint will often become dusty and chalky as a result of weathering. Extreme hot and cold temperatures, the wind and rain, all gradually break down the structure of the paint. This forms a white, powdery residue across the exterior paintwork and often gives it a patchy, discolored look. If old paint comes off as a dusty deposit on your fingers then you will need to remove the paint and treat the wall before you redecorate. Chalky, dusty paint is easy to remove.

Protective face mask
Bucket
Water
Detergent
Stiff brush
Pressure washer
Hose
Masonry paint stripper
Trowel
Scraper

Instructions

- 1
  Add two or three squirts of strong detergent to a bucket of hot water.
- 2
  Dunk the stiff-bristled brush in the water and scrub the paintwork, starting from the top of the wall and working your way down. Always wear a protective face mask to prevent breathing the dust and dirt from the paint as it comes away.
- 3
  Wash the wall with a pressure-washer set to between 1500 and 1800 psi or, alternatively, use a regular garden hose with a pressure wash nozzle attachment. Again, start at the top of the wall and move down slowly. Wash all the water, detergent and any remaining dusty, chalky paint from the wall. Repeat the wash, if necessary.
- 4
  Check the wall for any remaining traces of paint. For stubborn, heavily over-painted areas you may need to apply a ready-mixed paste paint stripper to completely remove all remaining traces of paint.
- 5
  Trowel the paint stipper paste on to the areas where paint still remains. Leave this for 48 hours, during which time the paint softens and is absorbed by the paste. Scrape off the stripper paste with a scraper. Wash the wall again with hot water and detergent.

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