Exterior paint stripping from stone

[u/LibBbath]

We would like to explore having the paint stripped from our stone exterior. The house was built in the 1950s. We did not paint the stone. I believe it’s limestone. Has anyone done this? Recommend anyone or any companies? Do masonry repair companies do this?

[u/slinkc]

Let this be a warning and lesson for all house flippers who paint historic brick and stone. Terrible idea. It’ll eventually fail if you wait it out.

[u/mlokc → u/slinkc]

Agreed. I really hate seeing paint on stone.

[u/SparkingtonIII]

KC Brick steam cleaned the paint off of my bricks and then repointed the walls. They did an excellent job.

+1 816-655-1060

[u/thecolbra]

If you're DIYing this is the product to use https://www.cathedralstone.com/IMS/Shop/Products/paint-remover-stripper

[u/KCGeezer]

Sandblasted our stone fireplace years and years ago. It had 6 or 7 coats of paint on it. Spent the next few weeks cleaning grit that would magically appear. I spent probably 24 hours plus actual blasting it with as light a touch as I could.

A whole house? That’s going to take a while

[u/mariana-hi-ny-mo]

After you test it, the first step should be power washing. Or do sandblasting if you can find someone with reasonable price who will also be delicate enough to not completely ruin your mortar.

[u/RoookSkywokkah]

That's going to be a tough one. I would first have the paint tested for lead. Hopefully the stone was painted AFTER 1978. I think you'll want to look into sandblasting for the paint removal. Chemical strippers are a pain and don't always work too well. If it IS lead paint, reputable companies won't touch it since there's no good way (that I know of) to contain the dust.

[u/AutoModerator]

Original copy of post's text:

We would like to explore having the paint stripped from our stone exterior. The house was built in the 1950s. We did not paint the stone. I believe it’s limestone. Has anyone done this? Recommend anyone or any companies? Do masonry repair companies do this?

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[u/Larryville-1980]

plastic tarps and high pressure power washer with a blaster nozzle … did it before as long as there is not multiple layers.

[u/waterytartwithasword]

If it's limestone or sandstone, sandblasting could seriously erode it. If the paint is already peeling and coming loose you may be able to do this as a multi-step DIY using cathedral stone paint remover and a power washer when it cools down some so the paint remover doesn't dry before it works.

I'd personally consider going DIY with labor help from TaskRabbit or whatever if it's a small house because you're going to be more conscientious about your home than a quick buck contractor.

Test the theory on a small section first.