Gel Paint Stripper

• The easiest way to remove paint from bricks is to use a gel paint stripper. Use the gel stripper according to the package directions. Each product will require a specific temperature range and moisture conditions. When removing paint from brick on exterior surfaces, wait for an appropriate day without rain, with low humidity and within the temperature range required by the manufacturer.
  
  For interior work, lay heavy plastic down to protect the floor and tape heavy plastic to adjacent walls to protect them from being damaged by the paint stripper. For exterior work, cover vegetation with landscape fabric, and cover woodwork and windows with heavy plastic.
  
  Scrape any loose paint from the brick with a plastic putty knife or stiff nylon brush. Do not use a metal putty knife or wire brush because it will damage the surface of the bricks.
  
  Start from the bottom of the area where the paint is to be removed. Apply the gel stripper according to the package directions. Each product is slightly different. Monitor the amount of time the stripper is left on the brick to prevent over-drying. Remove with a plastic scraper and rinse. If indoors, use a squirt bottle. If outdoors, use a garden hose. For stubborn areas, use a stiff nylon brush to remove remaining stripper and paint. If needed, apply more stripper.
  
  Power washing and sandblasting are not recommended because the pressure required can easily damage the bricks.
  
  

Warnings

• If the paint was applied before 1978, there is a chance that the paint contains lead. If you are unsure as to when the paint was applied, send a sample of the paint to a local laboratory to have it tested for lead. Contact your local Environmental Protection Agency office for information regarding testing and local facilities that are authorized to test for lead in paint.
  
  Wear proper eye and skin protection. Paint strippers can cause serious skin burns. If paint stripper splashes into eyes, it can cause permanent blindness.