(Partially) Removing Paint from Brick Backsplash - What a Mess!
This is my first project ever involving chemically removing paint from a surface. So far, it hasn't been easy! I've decided to go with the "aged and distressed brick" look for the backsplash and when it's complete, I know I'll think it was well worth the effort - but my - what effort! I'm working in 1 ft. X 2 ft. sections and thus far, I've completed two sections, with each section taking about 2 or 3 hours of work. Yikes! There are chemicals out there that would work better and faster than the product I'm using, but I wanted to use something that was biodegradable and that wouldn't knock me out while I was working. There's always a trade, I suppose!
When I'm completely finished partially removing paint from all the brick pavers, I'll go back through and subtly drybrush some of the off-white paint where I think I exposed too much of the brick. This area to the left of the sink is fine (see photo on right) but I got a little carried away on the right side of the sink (below). It's just too "busy" for my taste. 
In other news from our cottage, I've been spending a lot of time out in our front landscaping bed. It's coming along! I mainly have red, purple, and white verbena, lantana, "rose cathedral", lavender, and I can't quite remember what else. I ran out of garden soil yesterday but I still have 36 more little verbena plants to plant - and there is still plenty of room for other little pretties. Hubs jokes that they must all be artificial because they haven't died yet. Pshaw!
Hope everyone is well and thanks again for all the heartwarming and kind comments in my last post. We feel much better this week - the kidlets and hubs even went to a bird fair last week and are planning on adopting a cockatiel next month. That makes me a little nervous, but they are all thrilled about it:)
OH! I want to apologize for all the unanswered emails over the last few weeks (yes, weeks - ugh!) I do read them all when I receive them but I've been terrible at responding promptly. In my next entry, I'll post the questions I've received from readers - and the answers to all of their questions. Again, I'm so sorry!
Posts
18 comments:
Hello, first time visitor here.
I believe I found you by a link from a "cottage of the month" site, which was posted on Lady Lydia's blog....hmm, last week I think.
Anyway, I love cottages so here I am. :)
I subscribe to "Cottage Living" magazine and am anxiously awaiting the newest issue in my mailbox. I haven't received one since April, so I'm getting grumpier and grumpier as each day passes with no new issue in sight. :)
Joanna in Ca.
I think the backsplash looks great!! You are doing a great job! I liked it both ways, but I think this way best!
i love your backsplash, not to mention the rest of your kitchen! but i do believe i like the direction you're going with the backsplash...i don't think you will be disappointed! all of your efforts will be well worth it in the end...you can already tell !
Hi,
Love the backsplash! Keep it up.
Sounds like a yucky job, with good results.
Glad that your family is feeling better.
Have a great weekend!
Rosemary
Sounds like a hard, yucky job but one you'll be happy you tackled when you see your completed project. I commend you for using a more environmentally friendly product even though it's taking more elbow grease!
Manuela
That backsplash is going to look gorgeous when you're all done! Keep working at it - it will be worth it in the end.
God bless :)
Hello,
I am glad that you are all starting to feel little better now, life goes on and far too quickly.
Your kitchen brick project looks like lots of hard work but I am sure it will be well worth the effort and look amazing when it is finished. I look forward to seeing those pics.
Glad you're all feeling better. The backsplash looks fantastic! I saw a product at the big orange box the other day and thought of you--it's called a "paint eater"--basically a sander designed specifically for getting tough paint off of surfaces. Maybe that would be worth trying? You could always return it if it doesn't work? ~A :-)
I can't even imagine how much work that must be for you but I'm sure it will look gorgeous when you are done!
Hi, I think you made the right choice, I think the backsplash looks better and more cottagy.
Oh Kim, that looks like tought work! I hate stripping. Your kitchen is one of my favorites, and I know how happy you will be to have this done.
I saw you were under the weather in a previous post. Glad you are feeling better.
Donna
Hello Kim, What a great look! I know it is taking so much time & work for you to do your backsplash. As you say it will be well worth it.
I know what you say about using something biodegrable instead of chemical..
I have been working on cleaning my deck floor boards. Instead of using cehmicals (that would have taken less time & work) I'm using a mild soap. It's lots of hard work and scrubbing killing my back too.. it's almost all done. So as I finish I'll be thinking about you working away on your backsplash. Take care :-} ~Mary~
Are you using SoyGel? I just started using it and rather like it, but I've only used it on wood, not anything as porous as brick. I think your results will be great when you're all done with the mess!!
Happy 4th...hope you are enjoying some time off from "projects"!
Love your blog.....it's so much fun to see what others are doing to make their home "cottage-y". I have a 1930s bungalow that my husband calls my "playhouse"....I have renovated and decorated it over the past two years and I've just had the most fun with it! Good luck with your project....the kitchen backsplash is looking really good!
Oh my love the backsplash!!! What a wonderful job you are doing.
Hugs,
Carol
I am wondering, since I am sure you do cook, just how difficult it will be to keep the porous brick pavers clean and grease free behind the cook top?
Thanks you all! And I can't wait to check out the links to your cottage blogs, too! Lots of new faces!
I just updated - Yes, I've changed my mind about the distressed backsplash. Am I crazy or what!?!
Post a Comment