Stucco is an aggregate surface in plaster form used to coat interior and exterior walls. It is applied to homes for its decorative design, which adds texture and dimension to a room. Like other wall surfaces, interior stucco can begin to peel, fade or collect dirt. Sandblasting is one of the most effective methods of stripping dirt, paint and virtually any other finish from a stucco wall. This process can almost instantaneously restore a surface to its bare condition.
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Things You'll Need
Protective Eyewear
Silica Sand
Painter'S Suit
Plastic Sheeting
Sandblaster And Compressor
Step 1
Choose a preferred media for the task. The most common media for general applications is silica sand, which is high in purity and widely available. Various grades of glass bead and aluminum oxide are other adequate alternatives, but are typically more expensive.
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Step 2
Empty the room with the stucco wall if it is located indoors. Cover the exposed surfaces with plastic sheeting or tarp if you are unable to empty an enclosed workspace; otherwise, working in an open environment is ideal.
Step 3
Protect yourself with eye goggles and rubber gloves before operating the sandblaster. Wear a painter's suit with a hood to cover your body entirely; the media is likely to ricochet from the wall surface into your direction.
Step 4
Turn the valves off on the sandblaster and fill the unit with at least 10 pounds of silica sand or other choice of media. Start the compressor and open the air line. Allow the tank to pressurize between 40 and 100 pounds per square inch (PSI).
Step 5
Stand at least eight to 16 inches from the wall, and then begin sandblasting the stucco at a low PSI setting using short bursts. Gradually increase the pressure until all paint is removed, or until you've reached the desired results.