We decided against sand blasting really damages brick,we had ours washed ,it was bio degradable.we did it in 93 looks as good as the day they did it.

In my case, however, we're talking about clapboard instead of brick. that said, damage would probably be worse on wood. but i'm not sure we have another choice at a price we can afford.

I'm going to ask the painter for some references to sandblasted houses and go see what they look like.

Meanwhile, if anyone else has any input or suggestions ... feel free!

Check other current threads on this forum about paint removal that make reference to infrared heat for paint removal. Not that I've ever used it, but it seems that people do use it to strip the entire exterior of their houses.

Blasting, whether with sand or glass beads or even walnut shells seems to me would make an infernal mess, and if some of your layers are lead paint... well, enough said. Again, read the other threads, one linked below.

KarinL

Here is a link that might be useful: Stripper info

Check out this YouTube video on Dry Ice blasting. Another option to consider...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Gy4I8jSHE

Diane

Here is a link that might be useful: Dry Ice Blasting

Check this piece at This Old House on a water-based chemical stripper that requires few safety precautions.

Until today. Today a nice guy stopped by and said the only economical way to do it is sandblasting.

RUN Forest, RUN!

We used chemical wash,it was biodegradable didnt hurt shrubs,flowers never had 1 problem from it.They started top of the house came down it got rid of all paint etc on brick,the windows had white paint chaulking running down brick,it got rid that,It looked great when done a real face lift.like I said we did it in 93 it still looks great.

We have a ranch and there was so much paint on it hubby took a pressure washer to it but you have to watch which tip you use or you can carve out the wood. We let it dry for a week and then we sanded (along with friends) and primed and painted. I would never do it agin, only because it's alot of hard work. I wish we would have slapped up some vinyl siding instead but otherwise the paint job looks great!!

Hi floete_ri, I was wondering what you decided on doing? I am trying to figure out if sandblasting is a good idea or not.

You must operate with the premise that you have lead paint there. So exterior sand-walnut shell-baking soda blasting would demand tenting the house prior to contain the lead dust.

So what would you suggest to Sombreuil? I am trying to prep the house to have it repainted. Thank you for your help!

Ok thank you Carlos229! I will do that :-)

Paint bubbling/blistering can be a vapor barrier issue, or an application issue. (perhaps a paint-batch issue) Until you identify the cause, you're remedies may be unhelpful.

Exterior paint removal is always really costly. That's why substitute sidings are often used, they go on top of the original and keep costs down, unfortunately just covering up a water vapor problem does more long term harm, allows damage to proceed unmonitored.

Casey

Yes a wood house and brick can be media blasted with proper media and pressure settings.

I own a Dustless blaster and it is proven over and over to be the best blasting stripping machine in the world. Google it.

But we charge $300 per hour to blast it's not cheap but truly the only way to do a job right ..

Everything else is a hack...