How can I remove a single layer of interior wall paint?

Anthea Saunders
by Anthea Saunders

I painted over a beautifully painted wall finish and now want to remove that single layer of paint without damaging the paint work underneath, can it be done and if it can how do I do it?


  10 answers
  • Mogie Mogie on Dec 16, 2019

    Your local paint store folks might have some helpful tips or they might can refer you to someone with helpful info.

  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Dec 16, 2019

    Hi Anthea, it depends on what kind of paint you used to paint over the original. I would contact a specialist in your area.

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Dec 16, 2019

    It is likely that you will not be able to remove that layer of paint. I know that is not what you want to hear. I am sorry.

  • Gk Gk on Dec 16, 2019

    I highly doubt you are going to be able to remove that single layer of paint without damaging the wall finish underneath Anthea.

  • Em Em on Dec 16, 2019

    No likely. You have no way to control how much gets sanded off and the paint underneath will be thick and thin in areas and will come off at different levels. Sand then repaint.

  • Emily Emily on Dec 16, 2019

    Do you know the kind of paint used for the decorative finish? How long has it been there? If that is oil paint you may have a chance, Spray the water based paint in an corner, with water and try rubbing that section to see if any of the top paint comes off.

  • William William on Dec 17, 2019

    Nope. No way just to remove one layer without diturbing the rest. Sorry.

  • Sharon Sharon on Dec 18, 2019

    Nope, as a faux painter..... only way to remove is strip and that will damage all coats.

  • Janice Janice on May 24, 2021

    No way to do this. Try to locate the same paint that you covered and repaint is about the only way to retrieve the look.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on May 31, 2021

    only way to remove is strip and that will damage all coats.