A Meaningful Career

Posted on: 22 March 2018

Painted brick doesn't have to remain to be painted brick. A little bit of know-how, a few supplies and some hard work is all that you need to remove the paint and bring the brick back to its original look. Here, you'll learn how to do just that.

Supply List

• Sandblaster – rented from your local equipment rental service
• Silica and abrasive
• Respirator – may be available through the rental service
• Plastic tarps
• Paneling nails
• Wood sheets

Prep-Work

The prep-work will help to protect the other elements of your home from being damaged as you work to blast the paint off of the bricks. Your goal during the prep-work is to cover or remove any fixtures or elements that can be damaged by the sandblasting procedure.

Take down shutters, remove light fixtures and cover vinyl siding, windows and doors. Use the sheets of wood to cover the windows using the paneling nails to hold the wood in place.

Use the tarps to cover plants, décor and outdoor furnishings that cannot be moved out of the way. Cover the ground below your work-space to make it easier to clean up the paint and sand when the project is complete.

Prepare for a Dirty Job

Sandblasting can be dangerous if you don't take the time to dress appropriately. You want to cover as much of your body as possible – wear long pants, long sleeve shirt, boots, safety glasses, respirator and gloves.

Read through the instructions for the sandblasting machine and watch any videos that may have come with it. Understanding exactly how the machine works will help you get through the project with fewer errors and no injuries.

Start Sandblasting

You're dressed, your safety goggles, gloves and respirator are on, you've read the instructions and understand how the machine works, so it's time to get to the real work.

Start working in an area that isn't right where everyone will see. You want to start somewhere that won't be obvious if you mess up while you learn the feel of the sandblaster and master your technique.

Start up the machine, open the valve and begin blasting the bricks using slow side to side motions. Watch the bricks to determine if they are chipping as you're working. If the bricks begin to chip, step back a few inches. Working from a further distance will take longer to get the job done, but it will protect the bricks from getting damaged.

Once you've removed the paint, roll the tarps up, remove the wood sheets and uncover all of the furnishings, plants and things that you've covered. You've restored your bricks and should be very pleased with yourself. This project is completely doable – just talk with your local equipment rental company, like El Camino Rental ,
to learn about rates for the machine you need to get it done.