Removing acrylic

[Doug Dahlke 114]

I made the mistake of quoting a deck strip earlier this year that has a solid finish on it. The customer called yesterday and wants it done. I now suspect that it is acrylic. It is not too big an area but I need some opinions on the best way to remove it without taking all day to do it. I have read about boosting strippers with glycol. Any input is greatly appreciated.

[big mike 14]

Glycol will definitely help. Worst case scenario, you may need a gel type stripper like Jasco, or similar. If the finish is pretty much gone, apply your regular stripper full strength with some glycol (10:1 works well for me), and a long dwell. Sanding / buffing / defelting will be necessary.

[PressurePros 248]

A solid acrylic will often require 2-4 strips with incredibly strong stripper that will also mar siding, remove paint from metal and kill every plant within spitting distance. Follow that with 3-5 hours of sanding and you may be lucky to get 85% of it removed.

Tell them you closed your business. I'm kidding of course dou and what I said above is the worst case scenario but unfortunately, its not rare. If the stain is intact (ie looks like a paint finish without a ton of peeling and flaking) you are in for a good time. I have charged $5 per s/f (as in $10 per s/f of floor measurement) and lost money on these types of jobs.

Here is one we did this season. Stripped it once and little came off. Second round we turned up the heat and despite soaking down the back of the house, we had to repaint the door, trim and two windows. About three hours went into sanding this little deck.

Stained with Armstrong Clarke Cedar Semi Trans

[Doug Dahlke 114]

Thanks for the input guys. The deck in the pics looks great Ken. I am thinking of going back out there and testing the finish with some denatured alcohol to be sure its latex. If that's the case I may just have to tell the homeowner what all is going to be involved and walk away or renegotiate the deal. The finish was not in bad shape.

[big mike 14]

Doug, just sell them on a nice solid re-coat. EZ money, and it'll look great.

[plainpainter 217]

Doug, just sell them on a nice solid re-coat. EZ money, and it'll look great.

Amen.

[PressurePros 248]

Doug, just sell them on a nice solid re-coat. EZ money, and it'll look great.

I'll raise Daniel's amen.

[Andy Hinson 14]

A solid acrylic will often require 2-4 strips with incredibly strong stripper that will also mar siding, remove paint from metal and kill every plant within spitting distance. Follow that with 3-5 hours of sanding and you may be lucky to get 85% of it removed.

Tell them you closed your business. I'm kidding of course dou and what I said above is the worst case scenario but unfortunately, its not rare. If the stain is intact (ie looks like a paint finish without a ton of peeling and flaking) you are in for a good time. I have charged $5 per s/f (as in $10 per s/f of floor measurement) and lost money on these types of jobs.

Here is one we did this season. Stripped it once and little came off. Second round we turned up the heat and despite soaking down the back of the house, we had to repaint the door, trim and two windows. About three hours went into sanding this little deck.

Stained with Armstrong Clarke Cedar Semi Trans

Three hours sanding? I would have guessed much longer. The deck looks Great!

[PressurePros 248]

Thanks, Andy.

There is a set of steps going up to the back door that is not visible in the picture. That three hours is after spending 5 hours on multiple chemical strips.. two major ones and and another spot application. That's two guys, one using a random orbital, one using an osborne brush. Those clear cedar spindles were tore up. Many of them had to "bishop" sanded by hand. That's what we call it anyway.

I won't touch a deck this size with a solid acrylic for less than $2500. Most people tell me to go pound sand. The ones that will pay, we'll do them.