How to remove top layer of paint

Theresa Puckett
by Theresa Puckett
I just moved into a house where the kitchen cabinets were painted a white semigloss without priming or sanding. The paint is peeling off. Under the white is a beautiful country blue. Being frugal I figured I would peel the white off and not have to buy paint since the blue is what I was wanting anyway. It peels off in large sheets in some spots but not in others. Is there an easy way to remove the top layer while leaving the blue layer undamaged. I have started peeling with just my fingers but it will take forever!
  4 answers
  • Donna Byram Donna Byram on May 29, 2014
    Might try a plastic scraper. It shouldn't damage your paint underneath as long as the edge is not damage. Or if you have excess to a air compressor, you might try using the pressure from the air gun to get it off since it peals easily. (Use to do this in a body shop to take off clear coat that didn't stick on the cars from the factory when clear coat first came about.)
  • Mitziblueyes Mitziblueyes on May 30, 2014
    Maybe a little steam and the scraper. Sounds like the peeling may be that they used a latex paint over top of an oil base paint! We did that not knowing and mine did the same thing!
  • Jennifer G Jennifer G on May 30, 2014
    You can also try a dish sponge with a scrubby side (NOTE: Don't use the green scrubby since it's too abrasive, but the pink one for dishes/glassware) and some straight undiluted Nature's Orange cleaner (I buy mine at the hardware store). It cuts through dried paint quite easily, but don't let it dry! Spray, then wipe down immediately with plain water and repeat. I use it to soak my paint brushes when they get grungy with paint and it cleans them great! Loosens up all the dried on paint and it washes right out, so it might work on your cabinets too. Good Luck :)
  • Wheelbarrow Cottage Wheelbarrow Cottage on May 30, 2014
    Be sure and wear a mask...you never know what kind of yucky stuff is in those paints!! Good luck! Show us how it turns out!