How to Remove Alligatoring Paint

Cover your face with a dust mask and wear protective eyewear before getting to work on the paint. Paint chips and dust can contain hazardous particles, especially from lead based paints used on older homes.

Begin scraping the paint flakes using a paint scraper or putty knife with a stiff blade. Insert the blade into the raised edges for leverage when prying the paint loose.

Sweep or vacuum the smaller traces of dried paint and properly dispose of the large pieces in a trash bag. Prepare to sand the remainder of the paint by attaching the sandpaper to a power sander or sanding block.

Smooth out the rough edges of the paint with the sander until they are level with the rest of the structure. Investing in a power sander will help you cover a much larger surface area in a shorter amount of time.

Apply a chemical paint stripper to the remainder of the coat that has not begun to flake. Such solvents are available in environmentally safe varieties that can strip several layers of paint in one application; this will be necessary if you intend on applying a fresh coat of paint.