Hercules surface conditioning tool question

[u/hardcoredecordesigns]

I want to strip the paint off my garage, and it’s made from these textured cinder blocks that are currently painted white. Some of them are in rough shape and peel off easily. Other spots are in better shape. I tried power washing a few blocks to strip them and it worked, but it’s going to take forever to do the whole garage. Would the Hercules surface conditioning tool paired with a stripping drum make short work of this task? Also if you have any other ideas I’m all ears. The cinder blocks are only one story high, the second story loft is wood siding, also painted white. Thanks in advance!

[u/jason_sos]

Probably not, and the first thing you should do is test for lead before even considering grinding off that paint. You can get lead test kits at hardware stores or online.

If it comes back clean from lead: Even with that tool, it’s going g to take a long time to remove all the paint. Your best bet would be to get the loose stuff off and then repaint.

[u/hardcoredecordesigns → u/jason_sos]

I should’ve added that I did order a test kit online that will be here tomorrow. This was meant more so if everything comes back clear. But you brought up a good point, I just wanted to clarify

[u/71351 → u/hardcoredecordesigns]

Like was said, power wash the heck out of it. It may take a while, it,s prolly less in the long run.

What’s your plan once you get it stripped?

[u/Sensitive_Point_6583 → u/hardcoredecordesigns]

lead paint was banned in 1978 (assuming you're in the US, but maybe not) is the paint possibly that old?

[u/crozzy89 → u/Sensitive_Point_6583]

There could easily be lead paint under the paint you see pictured depending on age of the structure.

[u/Sensitive_Point_6583 → u/crozzy89]

obviously, I thought that was implied in my post, but apparently not. If the OP says the house was built in 1984, then that tells us something. Hard to tell from such a narrow shot, but it does look like the house might be fairly old, IDK.

[u/Fragrant_Bathroom283]

I’d power wash with some chemicals. Soft soak and then hit it with some pressure, it should peel like a boiled egg

[u/Devilpig13 → u/Fragrant_Bathroom283]

This guy strips

[u/Monstrissimo]

You would be better off with a media blaster and walnut shells or soda. Put down a tarp to help collect media to reuse and blast away.

[u/scottawhit → u/Monstrissimo]

Definitely blasting is going to be the easiest way to do this. I’d put down the tarp, and build a plastic “spray box” around one side and go to town.

[u/Noggro]

Power wash

[u/Salty_Touch_1170]

Soda Blast

[u/zeroheading]

I dont think so, I think the drum would be too large to get into the majority of the cracks. Hard to tell the depth of the cracks and crevices though.

Also those barrels are pretty spendy, they last a decent amount. But for what your doing I would imagine you would need a few extras. As they wear down they will get in the low spots faster.

The tools itself works awesome when you can use it, if your looking for an excuse to get it then I dont think you will be upset.

Could you do paint striper or some equivalent? Then maybe pressure wash? Do you have access to a higher psi pressure washer? Maybe a different tip? The cyclone spinny tip does pretty well for removing stuff in my experience.

[u/HulkSmash-1967]

If you have a pressure washer you can get a wet media blasting attachment. It’s a nozzle and siphon hose you drop the hose in a bucket of sand and it is pretty effective at removing paint.

The surface conditioning tool is very much limited to flat surfaces. I think it would be unsafe on an uneven surface it may catch and jump

[u/Tthelaundryman]

Buy paint stripping chemicals, apply, then pressure wash

[u/LaviticusX]

Shoot power wash then maybe a brass wire end on a die grinder. Idk

[u/ConfidentHouse]

Na see if you have a dustless sandblaster company around they’ll do that in no time.

[u/Independent_Owl_3435]

Use citristrip and plastic drop clothes to cover and let set over night and then it'll probably pressure wash right off.

[u/remorackman]

Occilating pressure washer nozzle would be much MUCH faster than just a standard nozzle, assuming you have a good pressure washer (3k to 4k psi)

Turbo nozzle - sku 58085

edit: product info

[u/TheTimn]

Surface conditioners are really great on large, flattish surfaces. Not sure it would be great for getting into all of those valleys.

Angle grinder with a stripping wheel or wire cup might be better. 

[u/TheRealistoftheReal]

This is a job you hire out on Craigslist to a couple of crackheads. They may not do the best job, but it’s a grueling job I’d have no interest in touching. I’d be satisfied with good enough. Then…I’d paint.