Whitewashing is one of the oldest methodsdecorate the ceiling. Nowadays, there are many design options, but this remains a proven and popular method. Naturally, the question of how to remove whitewash from the ceiling remains urgent if you decide to do repairs.
Since whitewash quickly loses itsattractive appearance, you need to be able to apply and remove it correctly. Whitewashing is covering the ceiling with chalk or lime. They are quite easy to apply to the ceiling or walls. In addition, you can easily solve the problem of removing whitewash from the ceiling yourself. There are several simple methods that anyone can do.
Process Features
Whitewashing of the ceiling is done with chalk orlime mortar, often with the addition of blueing, and sometimes - dyes. These substances have the main difference - they create an effective whiteness on the ceiling. The material is easily dissolved in water and is easy to use.
There are two main types of whitewash:chalk and lime. For the chalk method, an adhesive solution is usually used, containing 3 kg of chalk and 30 g of wood glue per 5 liters of water. A solution with the addition of blueing is often used - 2.3 kg of chalk, 90 g of wood glue, 60 g of laundry soap, 17 g of blueing per 3-4 liters of water. For lime whitewashing, a lime solution is used - 2-3 kg of slaked lime, 50-100 g of table salt, about 200 g of potassium alum per 10 liters of water. Over time, the ceiling becomes dirty, since chalk has the property of absorbing dirt, which leads to the need for repairs. It is impossible to renew the coating directly on the old layer - this can lead to peeling and the appearance of bubbles in the new layer. If a decision is made to paint the ceiling, the paint will not adhere reliably to the layer of whitewash. All this indicates the need to remove the coating from the ceiling. The need to remove the whitewash is especially evident when the ceiling is flooded from above. In this case, spots of an unpleasant color appear on the surface, which do not disappear after drying. Return to the table of contents</a>
Preparation for work
Before you start removing old whitewashceiling, stock up on safety glasses and a respirator in advance. Before removing whitewash from the ceiling, it is necessary to take protective measures. When using dry removal methods, a large amount of dust is generated, which is very bad for the eyes and respiratory tract; and when using wet methods, an aqueous weak alkaline solution appears, which is dangerous for the eyes and dries the skin of the body. These factors require the use of safety glasses, a respirator and work clothes that tightly cover the skin. Particular attention should be paid to the risk of severe contamination of furniture, especially those with fabric upholstery. Whitewash material that has penetrated the fabric is very difficult to remove. To eliminate the negative impact, it is necessary to take the furniture out of the room where it is decided to remove whitewash from the ceiling as much as possible. If it is impossible to remove the furniture, then it must be carefully covered with polyethylene film. It is recommended to cover the floor surface (with paper, film, oilcloth) so that you do not have to spend a lot of effort later on washing off the ingrained whitewash. Return to the table of contents</a>
Dry method of removal
Dry method of removing whitewash.There is nothing easier than removing lime from the ceiling using a dry method with a regular metal spatula or sandpaper. This method uses a wide spatula. The layer is slowly and evenly removed with a spatula over the entire surface of the ceiling. All irregularities that arise when touching the spatula are cleaned with sandpaper. This method requires a lot of effort and time. It is practically not used if you need to remove whitewash from a large ceiling area. In addition, dry cleaning produces a lot of dust, which flies throughout the room. The dry method can be mechanized by using a grinding machine for working on concrete surfaces. This tool allows you to quickly and efficiently remove whitewash from the ceiling, but it also creates a huge cloud of dust, which complicates the work. However, with the mechanization of the dry method, you can remove whitewash from large areas. Return to the table of contents</a>
Wet way with your own hands
Wet method of removing whitewash.Another simple method of removing whitewash is the wet method, which involves soaking its layer with water. There are two options for implementing this method. First of all, this is a simple wash of whitewash. To remove chalk or lime from the ceiling, make circular movements with a wet hard cloth, allowing you to . The cloth must be constantly cleaned and soaked in water. To do this, a basin of water must be within reach at all times. This option also requires a lot of effort and time. The second option for using the wet method is soaking the whitewash layer and then removing the wet material with a spatula. When removing the layer, the spatula must be held in your hand at an angle to the ceiling surface. To do this, the area of the ceiling with whitewash must be well wetted with a sponge or water spray. After a short period of time (5-10 minutes), the wet layer of whitewash is removed with a wide spatula. With this use of the spatula, removing the layer is much easier than with the dry method. Instead of a spatula, it is easier to do the job using a scraper with an extended handle. It is not recommended to soak the entire ceiling area at once - it is advisable to process small areas. This method allows you to get rid of flying dust, but is still quite a dirty method. It is difficult to implement on large areas. The wet method can be mechanized by using a household washing vacuum cleaner. Using a vacuum cleaner will make the work easier and faster, and will also significantly eliminate dirt. At the same time, using a vacuum cleaner for other than its intended purpose leads to the risk of its failure, which is especially important considering its cost. Return to contents</a>
Application of soap solution
A very common means of removalwhitewash is a soap solution. In order to remove whitewash from the ceiling, the wet method with a soap solution is most often used. The solution is prepared as follows: laundry soap (2 tbsp.) and soda ash (5 tbsp.) are dissolved in 10 liters of warm water. The area of the ceiling with whitewash is soaked with the prepared soap solution. To apply the solution to the ceiling, you can use a brush, roller, or sponge. The solution is rubbed into the surface until completely absorbed. After a short period of time, the whitewash layer should swell and come off the ceiling surface. Removing such whitewash with a spatula or scraper is not difficult. The swollen layer is simply removed with a damp rag. If you cannot remove whitewash from the ceiling using a soap solution, you can use other solutions, for example, a solution of ammonia or soda and salt. You can use a solution of acetic acid - 2-3 caps of any bath foam and acetic acid (1 tbsp) are added to 5 liters of water. It is advisable to heat the solution to 40° before use. After applying the solution, the wetted area of the ceiling is kept for 10-15 minutes. If the surface has a large area, it is recommended to treat it in sections of up to 5 sq.m. Chalk or lime must be removed completely, for which, after using a spatula, it is recommended to clean (wash off) with a sponge or rag.
To remove old whitewash from the ceiling alsoyou can use a solution of copper sulfate. High efficiency in removing old whitewash is achieved by using an aqueous solution of copper sulfate or hydrochloric acid. The hydrochloric acid solution should not contain more than 2% acid. Such solutions are applied only with a roller or brush with minimal contact with hands. The remains of the solution must be thoroughly washed off with clean water. Currently, special adhesive-based whitewash removers are available for sale. When using such products, the whitewash layer turns into a crust that peels off from the ceiling and is easily removed with a spatula. When removing, remember that chalk is easier to remove (a soap solution is sufficient), and lime is somewhat more difficult to remove, which necessitates the use of more complex solutions. Return to Contents</a>
Using a paste
The method of removing whitewash has been known for a long timeusing a paste solution. The paste is prepared as follows: starch (2 tbsp) is diluted in a small amount of water until a paste is formed. Then the solution is poured with hot water. This composition is applied to the whitewash and kept until dry. The lime in the form of a crust peels off the surface and is easily removed with a spatula or scraper. The method is simplified if you soak newspapers or paper with paste and stick them to the ceiling. After drying, they are removed from the surface along with the whitewash. Return to contents</a>
Required tools
To remove whitewash from the ceiling, you may need the following tool:
- putty knife;
- Sander;
- abrasive sandpaper;
- scraper construction;
- roller;
- paint brush;
- sponge.
The question of how to remove whitewash can be solved simply and effectively. You need to choose the appropriate method and apply it.
