How to Remove Chalking House Paint

Chalking is the formation of white, chalky powder on the surface of house paint. This condition occurs when the paint weathers and slowly becomes degraded by sunshine and moisture. Nearly all paints eventually show chalking after enough exposure to the outdoors. Removing it from house paint will require special tools and cleaning supplies. This process is necessary in preparation for a new coat of paint. Otherwise, chalk can penetrate the underlying surface of the house and erode the protective film on the existing paint.

Pressure washer
Detergent
Protective eyewear
Chemical solvent
Scouring pad or steel wool
Paint primer

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a pressure washer with mild house detergent. Eco-friendly cleaning solutions intended for use in conjunction with pressure washers are available at hardware stores and home improvement centers.
- 2
  Wear protective eyewear and dispense the cleaner according to the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure to evenly distribute the solution so that all of the chalking paint has been coated.
- 3
  Allow the soap to soak the surface of the house for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing it thoroughly. Maintain the water pressure at 1500-2000 psi until the surface is completely free of soap residue.
- 4
  Wait for the house to dry for a full 24 hours before applying a new coat of paint. You can attempt to scrub excess chalky residue with a chemical solvent, but some should be expected to remain.
- 5
  Apply a quality paint primer in preparation for a new coat. Acrylic primer will produce the best results for house paint with remaining chalk.

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