How to remove paint from bathroom ceramic tile walls
#1
07-04-13, 08:15 AM
Join Date: May 2012
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How to remove paint from bathroom ceramic tile walls
I bought a home with a bathroom that was painted a deep eggplant purple-black paint on top of ivory colored glazed tile. There were a few chips showing the underneath color.
Well, I was able to very painstakingly slide a single-edge razor blade under the chips and get some off. But it won't come off the tile.
I tried using a hot gun, but it didn't help much. The pieces of paint were a little larger when they were hot, but I have spent 3 whole days and have only removed the area around the lavatory. There is a lot of wall left on two sides, plus the tub/shower, which looks like a dark cave. Hard to believe anyone would have done this.
The problem is that I do not know what kind of paint this is. It does not respond to acetone, alcohol, turpentine, CLR, lighter fluid, ammonia or paint remover. On the contrary, the paint and varnish removed I used made it gummy and when it dried it was even tighter against the tile. It did not liquify or dissolve the paint, it only made it sticky and now I can't even scrape it off on the 4 tiles where I applied it.
If it is epoxy, am I out of luck? Should I just buy more purple paint and re-do the area I cleaned off so at least the walls will match? Breaking out all the tile would be horribly expensive, as it has a bottom mounted lavatory, recessed mirrors, top lights, and all the faucets on the shower wall, towel racks, etc.
I'm sick about this.
Esther
Well, I was able to very painstakingly slide a single-edge razor blade under the chips and get some off. But it won't come off the tile.
I tried using a hot gun, but it didn't help much. The pieces of paint were a little larger when they were hot, but I have spent 3 whole days and have only removed the area around the lavatory. There is a lot of wall left on two sides, plus the tub/shower, which looks like a dark cave. Hard to believe anyone would have done this.
The problem is that I do not know what kind of paint this is. It does not respond to acetone, alcohol, turpentine, CLR, lighter fluid, ammonia or paint remover. On the contrary, the paint and varnish removed I used made it gummy and when it dried it was even tighter against the tile. It did not liquify or dissolve the paint, it only made it sticky and now I can't even scrape it off on the 4 tiles where I applied it.
If it is epoxy, am I out of luck? Should I just buy more purple paint and re-do the area I cleaned off so at least the walls will match? Breaking out all the tile would be horribly expensive, as it has a bottom mounted lavatory, recessed mirrors, top lights, and all the faucets on the shower wall, towel racks, etc.
I'm sick about this.
Esther
#2
07-04-13, 08:18 AM
Welcome to the forums Esther!
What kind of paint remover did you use? Some are stronger than others. It's possible that the tile was painted with tub and tile paint - I don't know if it responds to strippers or not. What is your end goal for the bath rm?
What kind of paint remover did you use? Some are stronger than others. It's possible that the tile was painted with tub and tile paint - I don't know if it responds to strippers or not. What is your end goal for the bath rm?
